Photograph - Chip Ellis. 

It what seems like yet another reminder that younger generations can teach us a lot about ourseleves, a St. Albans High School student, Clayton Stover, petitioned the Kanawha County school board members to add sexual orientation to the school system’s cultural diversity policy.

We are humbled by such incredible courage to stand before such an audience, let alone live day to day in an environment as brutal as high school, while advocating for justice for ALL people…including those who are so easily maligned verbally and physically assaulted.

31st District House Delegate Carrie Webster also sent a letter to the Kanawha County Board of Education offering support of this addition.

School board general counsel Jim Withrow said the school system is already revamping its diversity policy. About four months ago, a group of teachers suggested the school board include sexual orientation in the policy, he said.

Board members could vote on the revisions as early as next month, he said.

 

Thank you Clayton for your courage to speak up.  We are inspired.