Coming out is rarely easy… which makes the story of this young man even more impressive.
High school student Jacob Rudolph from Parsippany, New Jersey decided to come out, he decided to do so in front of the entire school.
The response? 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.”
He continued with a heartfelt speech:
“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.”
The video of Rudolph’s speech was uploaded to the internet by his dad who said that the speech “took more guts to do than anything I’ve ever attempted in my life.”
Rudolph spoke to NJ.com after his speech went viral online.
“It felt like this immense weight was gone,” he said. “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.”
