interview with OutSports, Jake recalled walking to the principal’s office demanding to know why the school wasn’t recognizing pride month among its June festivities.“I was just like, ‘It’s not a big deal if I go in and talk about it and ask if they did it,’” Streder said. “As soon as I went in, they announced it.”For Jake, the moment carried special significance.
As a 15-year-old freshman, he’d told a friend that he was gay, but asked to keep it a secret. That didn’t work: soon the entire school was gossiping about Jake’s sexuality, including his older sister.
Jake was outed to his school and his parents. He also became the victim of harassment, enduring homophobic slurs at school.Related: Footballer Thomas Beattie reflects on coming out.