Shortly after I came out as gay on Twitter, I was contacted by a teacher and was told that the Providence School Board decided it would be unwise for me to attend the Pony Awards (the award ceremony for our school musical, Little Women). They "highly suggested" that I refrain from showing up at the event. However, this action was taken after I had graduated from Providence, and therefore the school had no right in interceding in my actions. The handbook states that "Providence School reserves the right to discipline for both on-campus and off-campus misbehavior during the time students possess official enrollee status." I no longer was an enrollee. Also, the handbook outlines "social exclusion or isolation" as a form of bullying, and that is exactly what the Board did to me. I make this petition in hopes of gathering support and showing Providence how poorly they handled the situation. The Board did not emulate the love that Christians are supposed to stand for.

I am writing a letter to Providence to express my grievances and disappointment, and I would like to show them with this petition that I am supported by many other people. I want to make anyone else at Providence who is gay or questioning feel at least somewhat more confident in who they are. Thank you.