(Howell, Michigan) Three high school students who were told they could not attend graduation ceremonies after painting over graffiti that said "God hates fags" gathered on a football field this weekend for their own ceremony.

Dozens students, including those who had just been given their diplomas at the official ceremony, rushed to the field to take part in the gradation. They were joined by a number of teachers.

Even the class valedictorian gave the speech he had just given.

The three students were told they could not be part of the school graduation last month after they, and another student - a sophomore, painted out the homophobic slur in front of their school and then replaced it by spray painting the word "Love".

No one knows who was responsible for the anti-gay attack.

"We knew we had to paint over it," said senior Shayna Kamilar. "It had to happen." She was joined by three friends as other students looked on.

But, not content with replacing the slur with the word "love" they repainted the word dozens of times on school property.

School officials accused the four of vandalism and barred them from taking part in the graduation ceremony. More than 200 students protested the punishment but the school would not rescind it.

The parents of the trio planned to have a small ceremony in the backyard of one of the students. But, then classmates said they wanted to attend. Several teachers also expressed an interest. So many people wanted to go the special ceremony was moved to the football field.

One teacher served as master of ceremonies while another handed out diplomas for the three.

"Although I'm going to miss the three of you very much ... we know you're going to make this world a better place," teacher Amanda Pringle said from a makeshift podium. "I realize how fortunate I was to have them as students and to now call them friends."

In a surprise move, a day before the event the school the superintendent called to make sure the seniors have caps, gowns and yearbooks. The school photographer even recorded the event for free.

Vinnie Mascola, one of the three students said it was the best graduation he could have had - even though he missed the official one.

"I 'm sad that I missed it, but when it comes down to it, I'll have a better memory of graduation than other kids in my class."

The third student, Derrick Webber, said: "I look back, and it's a part of my life that if I could take back, I wouldn't. It's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Someday I'll be able to tell my children with pride that I stood up for what I believe in and I hope 1 day you'll do the same."

The nearby Ann Arbor chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays gave the three students certificates recognizing their "spirit of justice."

PFLAG has approached the Howell Public Schools about setting up a diversity program.

The school district is considering the offer but says the punishment meted out to the students was not for removing the slur but for going too far in spray painting other areas of the campus.

©365Gay.com 2005

The nearby Ann Arbor chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays gave the three students certificates recognizing their "spirit of justice."

right on!

that is a great story. pissed me off at first, made me feel all warm and fuzzy at the end

Good to see young people standing up for what is right!!! God doesn't hate anyone!

awww... I'm getting all teary.

JediMaster said:

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[Edited 6/14/05 8:59am]

Nice story!

Props to those students and props to those that supported them. I have never understood homophobia just as I have never understand racism. I believe in God and I believe in a God that loves us all. We created the chasms the divide us; man not God. Judging a person based on who they love or their skin color or their own choice of religion (or choice not to be religious) is wrong.

To veer away from the religious topic (or else be banished to the religion forum) I just wanted to say that it is inspiration to see young people like this take risks and I love the fact that they are being celebrated while the cowardly losers who painted it toil in obscurity. Their hateful message was painted over with a colorful shade of love.

Nice story...and for the gay Orgers out there, you have a lot of love and support from straight people who don't have their heads up their asses.

Beautiful! They shouldn't have gone over board though.


M

Great Story.

I'm sure the special graduation gave them their due rewards in the face of adversity.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Yeah- they should have washed if off, but I'm glad they did something!

Thanks for posting this. I have having the most shitty day.

just when i think all is wrong with the world, somebody turns around and reinforces my faith in people. so sweet.

Stymie said:

heybaby said:

I think this is ridiculous. They weren't barred from graduation for "decrying homophobia," they were barred from graduation for vandalising school property. Their hearts were in the right place, but the action they took was irresponsible. Their punishment was just.

I saw this on the news. Its great that they stoof up for their classmates but the real reason that they were barred from the ceremony was that they trashed school property by tagging their message all over campus with spray paint. The road to hell is paved with good intensions...