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It takes a lot of courage to get up and speak in front of a large crowd of people. It really takes a lot of courage to come out as bisexual in a speech – especially in a valedictorian speech at your high school.
Which is exactly what a young man named Mason Bleu did when speaking at his graduation in New York City. During his speech, Bleu told the audience, for a “long time, I have struggled with my sexuality. I’ve dodged it and ignored it because I wasn’t proud of who I am. But today I’m changing that. I’m proud to be a bisexual man.”
https://twitter.com/maasonbleu/status/1157420773176434688
In a Twitter post, Bleu said, “So I came out during my valedictorian speech. It was definitely the scariest thing I’ve ever done but the reaction was amazing. Thank you to everyone who supported me!”
The reaction from parents, friends, faculty, and fellow students: a standing ovation. Take a look at the video.
https://twitter.com/maasonbleu/status/1144985203716345862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1144985203716345862&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fvaledictorian-comes-out-graduation-speech%2F
In a follow-up tweet, Bleu said, “The overarching theme of the speech was about being proud (it is pride month) so I decided that I couldn’t tell people to be proud of who they are when I was in hiding for so long. Anyways, I did this not only for me but for anyone else who has struggled being closeted.”
https://twitter.com/maasonbleu/status/1144985673465774082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1144985673465774082&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Fmason-bleu-bisexual-valedictorian_n_5d1ad5f9e4b082e5536e6601
And Bleu followed up his big coming-out party with a trip to the New York City Pride parade.
https://twitter.com/maasonbleu/status/1145006039525449728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1145006039525449728&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fvaledictorian-comes-out-graduation-speech%2F
And he offered up a sympathetic ear to anyone who needed to talk.
https://twitter.com/maasonbleu/status/1144986371683180577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1144986371683180577&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fvaledictorian-comes-out-graduation-speech%2F
Good work, Mason! You’ve undoubtedly encouraged many young people to feel comfortable with they are and where they’re headed in the future.
