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New York Elementary School Tells Student Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Is Inappropriate- Rescinds Ban On Its Delivery

QUEENS, NY -- A New York fifth grader who told reporters he agrees with President Obama's views on same-sex marriage was banned from delivering a speech he wrote on the subject. Kameron Slade, who attends William Haberle (PS 195) school in Queens, New York, wrote a speech on same-sex marriage that won a class competition which he was slated to deliver to the entire school Friday until principal Beryl Bailey refused to allow Kameron to speak on the subject, saying it was inappropriate.

Slade's mother was angered by the principal's decision telling Time Warner Cable's 24-hour newschannel in New York City NY1:

“For him to be denied the right to voice his opinion really upsets me,” the mother said.

For his part, the young speechwriter told NY1:

“I was really looking forward to it. I thought that this was a real good winning speech for tomorrow."

[...] "Like President Obama, I believe that all people should have the right to marry whoever they want. Marriage is about love, support and commitment.”

Slade added that some adults may “feel uncomfortable and think it's inappropriate to talk about this to children.” He also points out "There is no point in really trying to hide it because us children, we are going to figure it out some time now or later," he said.

The principal's decision sparked outrage among LGBTQ equality rights advocates, who wasted no time sounding off about the issue and the video about the story went viral.

A letter sent to parents of students who attend P.S. 195 late Friday confirms that the 10-year-old will be allowed to deliver his intended speech on same sex marriage during a special assembly at P.S. 195 next Monday. Officials from the NYC Public Schools also said parents who may have concerns about Monday's assembly can call the principal.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott spoke to reporters about the decision Friday.

"The principal felt that she needed to do more due diligence with her parent community because of the topic of the speech itself," he said. 

Daniel Dromm, an openly gay NYC councilman and a former public schools teacher, said that keeping Slade's speech out of the contest was wrong. 

"I don't believe separate but equal works," he said. "I think this is a topic that everybody should talk about. There is nothing inappropriate about this topic." 

Kameron's mother, who doesn't want to be identified, said she is happy with the compromise. 

"I'm really glad that the DOE has took the time to pay attention," she said. "I feel like progress is being made."  ~ NY1

Kameron has also been invited to speak before the City Council and at several NYC Pride events but he says he just wants to read his speech in his own school for now.