Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader? School Nixes Pro-Gay Speech

A fifth-grader's speech supporting same-sex marriage is inappropriate, his principal says.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

June 15 2012 1:59 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A New York City fifth-grader who won a class competition with a speech endorsing marriage equality won't be able to deliver it in the school-wide contest.

The principal of P.S. 195 in Queens said Kameron Slade's topic is inappropriate and this week told him to choose another one, according to Kameron's mother, who declined to be identified further, online news channel NY1 reports.

In the speech, which Kameron recited for an NY1 taping, he described spending a day with a lesbian couple who are friends with his mother. "They have a beautiful daughter. ... This family seemed like any other family. They seemed happy, and best of all, they seemed to love each other," he said. He also said he agrees with President Obama that people should be able to marry the partner of their choice, no matter the gender.

Kameron said he was looking forward to delivering the speech, but he proceeded to work on another one, on the topic of preventing animal cruelty. Officials with the New York City Department of Education declined comment on the principal's decision but told NY1 that Kameron will be allowed to give the same-sex marriage speech Monday in a different venue.