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Catholic School Forbids Student From Accepting LGBT Scholarship At School Ceremony

"Don’t turn a cold shoulder to Liam and other Dowling students who need to know they are valued and cared for."

In a shocking decision, a high school senior has been banned from his school's annual scholarship ceremony for one simple reason: he's openly gay.

Liam Jameson spent his first two years as a student at Dowling Catholic high school in West Des Moines, Iowa feeling isolated and lonely because of his sexual identity. He felt shunned by his peers, which led to thoughts of suicide.

Thankfully, he was able to lift himself out of these thoughts by throwing himself into combating homophobia at his school by founding and eventually leading the school's first gay-straight alliance.

Now, as a senior, he's received the Eychaner Foundation's Matthew Shepard Scholarship for LGBT youth leaders in recognition of his work at Dowling Catholic. It's a tremendous honor and would normally be celebrated at the school's annual scholarship assembly, but because Jameson is gay, he will not be invited to join his fellow leaders on stage at the ceremony.

The news is, understandably, surprising and disappointing for Jameson, who personally knows the impact his inclusion in the assembly would have on the school's LGBT community.

"I’ve worked hard to prevent suicides, and having this scholarship presented allows other students to learn that LGBTQ students are valued in society, not shunned," Jameson writes in a letter to the school.

"That’s why the Committee presents the scholarships at Senior Awards Programs, to try and help save other young lives who feel isolated and worthless, like I once did," it continues.

Jameson, along with support from the Eychaner Foundation, has launched a Change.org petition in hopes of getting the school to change its mind before the ceremony this Thursday.

"After struggling with his self worth, and several suicide attempts, Liam has accepted the responsibility to help prevent other young students from attempting suicide," the petition reads.

"He has helped build One Dowling Family into a safe space for students to discuss their lives, fears and anxieties, and to find a core group of friends."

"Please find your better angels and don’t turn a cold shoulder to Liam and other Dowling students who need to know they are valued and cared for," it concludes.

Since its launch yesterday, the petition has gained over 3,000 signatures, with hopes of reaching 5,000 by Thursday.

h/t: Gay Star News

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