The 2012 Class of Sacred Heart Academy (Mt. Pleasant) will receive a Pride Award. The school asked Dominic Sheahan-Stahl, 1998 graduate and actor, to speak at graduation. Dominic’s brother, Willi, was graduating. When the school learned that Dominic was gay and planned to marry his partner in New York, Saginaw’s Bishop Cistone rescinded the invitation. The students launched a national campaign Let Dominic Speak and organized an inclusive graduation called Live Through Love at CMU where Dominic delivered his speech to the graduating class and about 800 community members. Live Through Love sparked a national discussion about young Christians standing up for the values they believe. The Bishop’s actions sent a message that gay/lesbian people are not worthy of dignity. The students had the courage to stand up for what they believe to be right.
