Boulder, CO -
A teen who came out gay as a freshman told his graduating class that he was prepared to accept rejection but instead found support.
"Coming out before entering high school was not a decision that I took lightly," Ted Chalfen, a student at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado said in his commencement speech. "I heard the horror stories about how this could be the worst 4 years of a young gay man's life. I was fully prepared to endure taunting, social ostracization and even physical abuse."
"The response that I have received, by and large, has been stunning."
"The kindness and understanding that you all have showed me over the past 4 years speaks volumes about each of you as human beings."
Chalfen added that the parents share a lot of the credit.
"You brought your kids up the right way and they are forever indebted to you for it," he added.
"Coming out before entering high school was not a decision that I took lightly," Ted Chalfen, a student at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado said in his commencement speech. "I heard the horror stories about how this could be the worst 4 years of a young gay man's life. I was fully prepared to endure taunting, social ostracization and even physical abuse."
"The response that I have received, by and large, has been stunning."
"The kindness and understanding that you all have showed me over the past 4 years speaks volumes about each of you as human beings."
Chalfen added that the parents share a lot of the credit.
"You brought your kids up the right way and they are forever indebted to you for it," he added.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
