Story Archive

Keep That Yearbook in the Closet

Joey Slivinski and Thomas Swartz submitted senior quotes for their Kearney (Mo.) High School yearbook. The students, both openly gay, chose quotes they found funny and inspirational. Slivinski’s: “Of course I dress well. I didn’t spend all that time in the closet for nothing.” Swartz’s: “If Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that no one should have to live in the closet.” They were both surprised to find their quotes were deleted when the yearbook was distributed. “I’m comfortable in my own skin and with who I am,” Slivinski said. “It felt like the district took that from me.” Administrators released a statement apologizing for their actions. “In an effort to protect our students, quotes that could potentially offend another student or groups of students are not published,” the statement read. “It is the school’s practice to err on the side of caution. Doing so in this case had the unintentional consequence of offending the very students the practice was designed to protect.” The statement was signed by school principal Dave Schwarzenbach and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bill Nicely. (MS/KCTV Kansas City) ...Not so Nicely done.