{"id":85761,"date":"2019-04-28T12:25:28","date_gmt":"2019-04-28T16:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/byu-valedictorian-comes-out-as-gay-in-graduation-speech-i-am-not-broken-watch\/"},"modified":"2019-04-28T12:25:28","modified_gmt":"2019-04-28T16:25:28","slug":"byu-valedictorian-comes-out-as-gay-in-graduation-speech-i-am-not-broken-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/byu-valedictorian-comes-out-as-gay-in-graduation-speech-i-am-not-broken-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"BYU Valedictorian Comes Out as Gay in Graduation Speech: \u2018I Am Not Broken\u2019 \u2014WATCH"},"content":{"rendered":"

BYU Valedictorian Comes Out as Gay in Graduation Speech: \u2018I Am Not Broken\u2019 \u2014WATCH<\/b><\/p>\n

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Matt Easton, a political science valedictorian and practicing Mormon at Brigham Young University came out as gay on Friday<\/a> in a speech to the entire college.<\/p>\n

Said Easton, to cheers: \u201cI stand before my family, friends, and graduating class today to say that I am proud to be a gay<\/a> son of God. I am not broken. I am loved and important in the plan of our Great Creator. Each of us are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFour years ago, it would have been impossible for me to imagine that I would come out to my entire college,\u201d he added. \u201cIt is a phenomenal feeling. And it is a victory for me in and of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Reports Quartz<\/a>: \u2018It is hard to overstate to what extent this speech is historic\u2014and brave. Though openly LGBT students may attend BYU, located in Provo, Utah, its\u00a0restrictive honor code<\/a>\u00a0forbids \u201chomosexual behavior\u201d and \u201call forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings.\u201d Acting on these feelings can, and does, result in expulsion from the university. (Heterosexual couples<\/a> found to have engaged in \u201csexual touching\u201d also face punishment, which\u00a0may include mandatory worship<\/a>, being placed on probation, or having their diplomas withheld.)\u2019<\/p>\n

Easton tweeted later that evening: \u201cI am grateful to @byu_fhss<\/a> for allowing me to share my authentic and vulnerable self to so many in our college. During my time at BYU, I have slowly come out to my closest family members and friends. However, this is the first time I have publicly declared it. I felt it was important to share both for myself and for the LGBTQ+ community at BYU.\u201d<\/p>\n

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During my time at BYU, I have slowly come out to my closest family members and friends. However, this is the first time I have publicly declared it. I felt it was important to share both for myself and for the LGBTQ+ community at BYU.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Matty Easton (@easton_matty) April 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The post BYU Valedictorian Comes Out as Gay in Graduation Speech: \u2018I Am Not Broken\u2019 \u2014WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad Gay News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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BYU Valedictorian Comes Out as Gay in Graduation Speech: ‘I Am Not Broken’ \u2014WATCH<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n