Pop star Jennifer Lopez has thrown her support behind a high school valedictorian, Nat Werth, whose plans to come out as gay during his commencement speech were blocked by his school.
Graduating from Sheboygan Lutheran High School in Wisconsin earlier this year, the academic 18-year-old was informed by school administrators that he couldn't use his commencement speech to open up about his sexuality. But Werth wouldn't compromise, with the school's salutatorian delivering a graduation speech instead.
“In the rough draft of my speech that I submitted to the administration, I came out in it,” he told BuzzFeed.
He added: “I knew that they wouldn’t let me say that at graduation, but I put it in the rough draft because for me it was part of the writing process and how I was reflecting on my high school career.”
Werth eventually delivered his original unedited speech at PrideFest Milwaukee, where he was given an award for taking a stand. However, the true highlight came months later, while attending a local Jennifer Lopez concert, with Lopez inviting Werth backstage to commend him on his bravery.
It was a moment captured in a photo of the pair, which JLo shared on social media alongside a heartfelt caption.
"Everyone deserves love," she wrote alongside a rainbow of heart emojis.
"Nat, thank you for celebrating with me... Always standing with you. Continue to use your voice and spread only love and acceptance."
She added: "Don't stop being you."
