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Lawyer: School that blocked gay speech didn’t discriminate

Lawyer: School that blocked gay speech didn’t discriminate
Twin Peak Charter School senior Evan Young reads his valedictorian speech on May 31, 2015 in Boulder, Colo. The Twin Peaks Charter Academy that barred Young, a gay valedictorian from coming out during his commencement speech denies it discriminated against the teen, but says no discussion of sexual orientation is appropriate for a graduation ceremony.
Twin Peak Charter School senior Evan Young reads his valedictorian speech on May 31, 2015 in Boulder, Colo. The Twin Peaks Charter Academy that barred Young, a gay valedictorian from coming out during his commencement speech denies it discriminated against the teen, but says no discussion of sexual orientation is appropriate for a graduation ceremony. Jonathan Castner, The Daily Camera (AP)

LONGMONT, Colorado — A school that pulled a graduation speech by a valedictorian who wanted to disclose his sexual orientation didn’t discriminate by blocking the speech.

At least, that’s the conclusion of an outside attorney hired by Twin Peaks Charter Academy to investigate the decision.

The conclusion will be sent to the St. Vrain Valley school board. The Daily Camera reports that the school board is expected to review the report next month.

Eighteen-year-old valedictorian Evan Young was blocked this spring from giving a graduation speech in which he planned to out himself as gay, prompting criticism from gay rights activists.

The Twin Peaks board is sharing the lawyer’s conclusion along with a note decrying opponents for trying to “twist this situation into a politically polarizing gay and lesbian issue.”

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