Fifth-grader Kameron Slade was elected to represent his class in a school-wide speech competition, but had his subject matter denied by the principal, who deemed gay marriage an inappropriate issue. “She said that people have different opinions on it and that some parents may not want their children to learn about this type of topic,” said the Queens student, who is as adorable as he is awesome. He said his mother’s gay friends “seemed happy,” and, “Best of all, they seemed to love each other.” But despite being censored by his school, Kameron, who “thought that this was a real good winning speech for tomorrow,” got to deliver the whole thing to NY1. And he should know that he’s not alone in being muzzled: Even adults aren’t allowed to say vagina.
Update: Even though Kameron wrote a new speech on animal cruelty and delivered it today, Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott has decided that he will be allowed to give his gay marriage speech at a special assembly on Monday, CBS reports. “This extra day will give [the principal] the ability to reach out to those parents to make them aware of the content of the speech because we’re talking about an elementary school,” Walcott explained. “She wants to be responsible in making sure that people have a clear understanding of what the speech is about.”
“At a time when Marriage Equality is the law of our state, we should not stifle students from engaging this issue on their own terms and in their own ways,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “Kameron’s speech is a heartfelt expression of understanding that deserves to be commended. He has shown far more maturity than the adults in his school. His voice should be heard, not sidelined.” Sometimes the good guys win.
