There comes a time when you're going to look at your child and realize that they amaze you. I don't mean "aww, it's amazing that I can keep them alive" amaze you. I mean one day you will realize they far exceed your wildest dreams. For Jacob Rudolph's dad, that day came when his son stood up in front of his high school and came out as a gay teenager.
Jonathan Rudolph uploaded the video of his son that's now gone viral to the Internet. In it, 17-year-old Jacob stands at a high school assembly to accept an award and proudly announces that he is "an LGBT teen." Here, he says it better:
As his dad said of Jacob's inspiring coming out speech, that "took more guts to do than anything I've ever attempted in my life."
I join the world in commending Jacob Rudolph for his strength today. But let's not forget that this kid was raised by parents who clearly showed their child that it's OK to be you, that it's important to stand up for what you believe in. These are the moments we really live for as parents: when we realize that what we've taught them has sunk in.
Sometimes these flashes mean realizing our kids may have surpassed us emotionally. A friend who has struggled with her weight issues recently related a story of her daughter's complaint that the school weighed them during gym class. She asked -- dreading the answer she expected -- why the girl was so upset. But the girl, the well-adjusted, happy girl, informed her not that she felt uncomfortable with her weight being broadcast to other kids, but that she just missed the time to engage in actual games in gym class!
It was a victory she was happy to take. She's done her job with her daughter ... just as Jacob Rudolph's parents have with him. Perhaps they were afraid of what it would be like or their son if he came out in such a public way; it's a response any of us could understand. But he did it, and he triumphed.
His parents raised a kid who has guts. Bravo to them and to their amazing son too.
Have your kids ever bowled you over like Jacob did?
Image via Jonathan Rudolph/YouTube
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Comments 9
Has no place at a school function..................
I agree with the first two comments. There is a time and a place for everything, a school assembly not that place.
I don't understand why the need to announce it that way in the first place. I've never seen a heterosexual stand up to announce to the school that he/she is straight.
I'm not saying he shouldn't "come out" but why such a public display?
Coming out as LGBT has to do with a lot more than just sexual preferences. There is a huge stigma attached...look at how many young LGBT teens have taken their own lives? He is taking a stand to help tell others that it is okay to be different. And that is a beautiful message.
I think it's great! Jacob is obviously someone the class looks up to and is a pillar in his school community. More students should feel comfortable coming out, and perhaps a few LGBT students may find the courage to come out themselves after hearing his speech. However, for his parents' sake, I do hope they knew before this speech. That could be a little awkward.
If he was my son, I would be so proud and until gays are given exactly the same rights as straights then young men like this will have to continue to stand up and speak out.
I'm more concerned with why it's okay to weigh children during gym class, much less broadcast it to the rest of the class...??????? Why are children being weighed AT ALL in school???? Schools need to butt out and parents need to stop being asshats and take that responsibility of teaching/raising their children back.