Missouri district drops 2 gay students' yearbook quotes

KEARNEY, Mo. -- A Missouri school district is apologizing for removing senior quotes two openly gay students wanted printed under their yearbook pictures.

Kearney High graduates Joey Slivinski and Thomas Swartz were surprised when they opened the newly printed 2017 yearbook, KCTV reported.

"I went to find my quote in the yearbook, but nothing was there," said Slivinski, who wanted his quote to be, "Of course I dress well. I didn't spend all that time in the closet for nothing."

Swartz had asked for, "If Harry Potter taught us anything, it's that no one should have to live in the closet."

Swartz and Slivinski said the district was wrong.

"I'm comfortable in my own skin and with who I am," Slivinski said. "It felt like the district took that from me."

The district stated its policy of not publishing potentially offensive quotes had the "unintentional consequence of offending the very students the practice was designed to protect."

"We sincerely apologize to those students," the statement said. "All KSD staff understand the importance of inclusion and acceptance especially in an educational setting."

The district said it works to help students feel safe and included, and staff members participate in ongoing diversity training.

"That being said, we acknowledge our mistake and will use it as a learning opportunity to improve in the future," the district said.

The two graduates plan to make stickers to insert their quips into their yearbooks and those of their friends.