an f-bi sent this to my box last night.
i glanced at it before knocking out at my desk.
i knew it would be up this morning.
it was a pretty inspiring story.
you know i’m a sucker for that shit…
Coming out as LGBT is rarely easy, which makes Jacob Rudolph’s story all the more impressive. When the high school student in Parsippany, N.J., came out, he did so in front of the entire school. His classmates responded with a standing ovation.
During the presentation of senior class awards, Rudolph was given the Class Actor award, an irony not lost on him. “Sure I’ve been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I’ve been acting every single day of my life,” Rudolph said. “You see, I’ve been acting as someone I’m not.”
Rudolph continued:
Most of you see me every day. You see me acting the part of “straight” Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT. Unlike millions of other LGBT teens who have had to act every day to avoid verbal harassment and physical violence, I’m not going to do it anymore. It’s time to end the hate in our society and accept the people for who they are regardless of their sex, race, orientation, or whatever else may be holding back love and friendship. So take me, leave me, or move me out of the way. Because I am what I am, and that’s how I’m going to act from now on.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c4_anB-Vvk]
Footage of Rodolph’s speech and its positive reception was uploaded to the Web by his father, who noted on the video that it “took more guts to do than anything I’ve ever attempted in my life.”
Rudolph spoke with NJ.com about his speech and the aftermath. “The more leaders who pop up in the LGBT community, the more it inspires others. It just becomes a whole domino effect,” he said.
“It felt like this immense weight was gone,” he added. “I’d been carrying it around with me for years. It affected me academically, emotionally, socially. It’s like my life is now before and after. I think that explanation is what made this whole process make sense.”
The reactions have been across-the-board positive, including on Twitter. Anthony G. Watson tweeted, “#Jacob #Rudolph Gay New Jersey Teen, Comes Out During School Award Ceremony! We are all very proud of you!”
Ben Rudolph wrote, “I don’t think I’m related to Jacob Rudolph (not this one, anyway)…but I’m still proud of him.”
And another supporter wrote, “Things That Make Me Smile: Teenager Jacob Rudolph comes out to his parents, teachers, and his whole class…”
ya know…
i have a feeling that a ton of the lurkers and readers in the foxhole…
i bet some of you could win some awards too.
that’s perfectly fine.
as long as you aren’t harming yourself or anyone else out of fear,
do you.
good work jacob.
imagine how many people in hollywood are doing this now?
imagine how many singers, rappers, and baller wolves that these vixens lust after that are also playing a good role for the world’s stage?
imagine how many people in your neighborhood or even family are also doing it… and well?
makes you think.
lowkey: this would make a great movie.
This couldn’t have happened at Martin Luther King High School in the hood, USA though. Lol
^and see that’s what i mean.
white people will always have a different experience.
some good.
some bad.
but it isn’t like when minorities do it.
He is my hero. I wish more people were as brave as he!
can i be honest about something?
this isn’t directed to you or anyone in general.
i guess this will be a mini entry…
i feel coming out should be personal.
everything now has to be broadcast.
people on wshh eating shit and tampons.
the world now feels they need to be 100 open about everything.
this is where some people make mistakes.
coming out should be something you do when you feel comfortable AND you have the proper resources/foundation around you.
it should be around friends and family.
ones who won’t abandon you and will be there when things get tough.
yes,
his story is inspiring because he came out the way he did.
as you can tell in the video,
he had tremendous support from friends and family.
not everyone has that.
it is sad,
but it is the truth.
plus,
and i hate to bring race into it,
but he is white and a lot of their situations run differently than “us”.
unfortunately,
for some,
it’s not that easy.
these stories should not give false hope to people who think these dramatic come outs will be all sprinkles and cupcakes.
there is a positive and negative side you have to ready for.
disowned,
beat up,
de-friended,
ridiculed,
and other things that requires extremely thick skin.
i just want everyone to be aware of that before they do anything as dramatic as jacob.
one last thing:
just because you don’t come out of the closet,
doesn’t mean you don’t love yourself.
don’t let anyone tell you that.
they are just fuckin’ nosy.
these same people aren’t gonna let you in their home when your life goes haywire.
most of the time,
they put a check next to your name and move on to someone else.
waking up everyday and surviving in this tough ass economy is brave within itself.
this wasn’t to insult anyone.