For four years, Nat Werth worked hard to achieve a huge goal: graduating first in his class at Sheboygan Lutheran High School, a highly religious school in Wisconsin.
“Since freshman year, I had made it my goal to be valedictorian. Because being the gay student, I knew that if I didn’t distinguish myself I would just be a nobody and nobody would care about me.”
In March, the 18-year-old received the good news. He’d done it. He was valedictorian. “I was really excited. My dreams were coming true,” he said. As part of the distinction, Werth expected to give the traditional valedictorian speech, an honor he was looking forward to. But on May 24, sitting among his classmates in their matching caps and gowns, he didn’t get to give his speech. That’s because he says he was thinking of using his remarks to come out as gay.
“In the rough draft of my speech that I submitted to the administration, I came out in it, I knew that they wouldn’t let me say that at graduation, but I put it in the rough draft because for me it was part of the writing process and how I was reflecting on my high school career.”
Despite the tough circumstances, Werth is celebrating all of this as part of his coming-out story.
“Someone even told me my story inspired them to come out. I was like, oh my gosh, I’m one of those people now that’s inspiring others! It’s really meaningful.”
Via BuzzFeed
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