Trans salutatorian stands up to anti-trans school administration...

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Trans salutatorian stands up to anti-trans school administration in inspiring speech: "Be yourself"

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/trans-salutatorian-stands-up-to-anti-trans-school-administration-in-inspiring-speech-be-yourself/ 🔗

John Russell (27 May 2026)

School administrators continued to misgender and deadname their 2026 salutatorian during D'Iberville High School's graduation ceremony over the weekend, even in the face of significant community backlash.

Despite that, graduate Jonas Hole, who is transmasculine, delivered a poised, dignified, and inspiring speech to his classmates.

According to the outlet, D'Iberville High principal Cheryl Broadus introduced Hole by his deadname during the May 23 ceremony, and even referred to him as "an outstanding young lady." 

Hole began his speech Saturday by introducing himself using his deadname, but noted that "a lot of you know me as Jonas," according to Mississippi Today. While he did not address the controversy around the school's Facebook post or his gender identity directly, he spoke about the challenges he'd overcome in high school.

"Despite my own self-acceptance, others judged me without understanding me. I became my label, and it felt as if my achievements, hardships, personality, all became irrelevant for the sole fact that I present myself differently," Hole said.

"However, I hold no grudge against those who were so quick to criticize me," he continued. "We as people tend to groove others into boxes, and our feelings reflect that bias, even if we don't realize it."

"Express yourself as individuals and resist the temptation to just be a follower. We as a community can be so much stronger by living our lives truthfully and without fear of what someone else may or may not think," he said.

He closed by wishing that everyone in attendance might one day "feel that same freedom I get to feel by living every day unapologetically. Be yourself, no matter who tries to stop you from doing so."

[tammy753]

So inspiring!

[KathyLauren]

Showing more class than the school administration.