HOUSTON — A 17-year-old openly gay teen says he was forced to change schools after being given an ultimatum by the his principal to delete his YouTube videos or find another school.
Austin Wallis says the principal at Lutheran High North in Houston called him into the office after finding out about his YouTube channel and gave him an ultimatum: delete the videos or leave the school.
“He said that in the Bible, it declares that being a homosexual is a sin and we cannot have you promoting a sinful lifestyle,” said Austin. “I realized that I don’t want to be somewhere where I can be kicked out for being gay and being open it.”
He has since decided to leave Lutheran High North.
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Austin says he knows the private school has the legal ability to decide who should be allowed to attend, but questions whether the school’s actions are moral or ethical.
Austin first came out in a YouTube post last August, and since then regularly vlogs about topics affecting gay youth, and activities and adventures with his boyfriend.
KPRC-TV has a report:
School officials would not comment on Austin’s allegations, but in a statement issued by the Lutheran Education Association of Houston, executive director Wayne Kramer said, “We respectfully require students to adhere to these accepted values and moral beliefs.”
“Students have to make choices and decide whether their beliefs align with our community,” Kramer said.
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