Robert Tull, principal of New Jersey’s Eastern Regional Camden County High School, decided to really drive home the stereotype on June 17th when he attempted to cut short the valedictorian speech of Bryce Dershem, who wanted to share his experience as a queer teenager.
This seems like it’s where the story ends, with Bryce Dershem taking his seat, followed by a ton of lawsuits and lost moments. Luckily, the audience was not having that. After actually being able to hear the speech in full, it makes me wonder what made this speech so worth censoring. All Bryce Dershem did was voice the realities of his life and those of so many other people his age. Teenagers are queer. They deal with eating disorders and accepting their bodies. They have issues with their mental health.
ADVERTISEMENT The way that this has been received and handled is certainly indicative of the changing times and some pretty great proof that we must deny people the power to silence others. Literally.The Supreme Court Declined To Hear The Case Of Gavin Grimm, Securing A Major Win For Trans Rights