Shawnee Mission East
Shawnee Mission South
Olathe Medical Center
Prairie Villiage Shops
Mission
Corinth Square
Union Station
University of Kansas
Oklahoma
Click here for a photo slideshow of Matthew Pope.
On a cold February night, the Shawnee Mission East gym is packed. It's Senior Night, and the boys' basketball team is taking on the rival Shawnee Mission South Raiders. It's a close game, and the excitement and tension threaten to sweep the crowd into a frenzy.
Well-dressed parents cluster together on the bleachers and the limited floor space. Hordes of younger siblings stroll around in packs, toting soda bottles, red licorice whips and popcorn from the snack bar. The student bleachers line one wall of the small gym. The East kids, a block of dark blue, are separated from their yellow-and-green-clad South counterparts by a doorway. The East fans boisterously cheer on their team. They sing the Olé-olé-olé-olé song and rhythmically clap en masse. At one point, they chant, bull-shit, bull-shit, to the dismay of the official-looking grown-up types who stand guard at the foot of the bleachers. A couple of beefy security guards also patrol the area, and several more are scattered throughout the gym.
Right above the student bleachers is a homemade sign in the East colors of blue, black and white. It reads: "Thank you SME senior cheerleaders." The names of the squad members are listed, including Reagan, Haley, Matthew, Kirby, Morgan.
The cheerleaders split up into two groups that line up on either side of the basket. Matthew Pope — the tallest member of the squad as well as the only guy — takes a spot in the back row. The 17-year-old, who choreographs all the routines, is one of the three co-captains of the squad.
There's another thing that makes Matthew stand out. He's openly gay. At Shawnee Mission East, a school that's often stereotyped as conservative and snobby.
On the court, Matthew is sporting his cheerleader uniform, which consists of black track-style pants and a short-sleeved polyester-blend top that says "SME." His melodic tenor drifts above the din as he yells, "Here we go, Lancers, here we go." During the free-throw shots, the squad members raise their hands; the girls shake their pompoms while Matthew wiggles his fingers. Later, he hoists a girl up so that she's standing on his hands for a couple of seconds before jumping down. And the crowd goes nuts when he performs his signature move: a series of back flips across half the court.
With 3:06 to go before halftime, East scores and trails South by one point. The band starts playing "Good Golly, Miss Molly," and the cheerleaders do high kicks while the students bellow, "Oi-oi-oi!" By halftime, the game is tied at 21.
The senior cheerleaders and drill team members, along with their parents, gather at one side of the gym to be presented to the crowd. Matthew stands in the middle of the group with his mom and older sister. The women receive small bouquets wrapped in blue tissue paper and cellophane. Then they all walk out and line up on the court. The announcer reads everyone's names and college choice. For Matthew, it's either Loyola in Chicago or the University of Oklahoma.
Right after his presentation, Matthew walks the short distance to the student section. He stretches both arms out at his sides in a "come on" gesture, then executes a back flip. The kids erupt in cheers and start chanting, "Pope! Pope! Pope! Pope!"
The game remains tight until the end. With 45 seconds left, East scores and pulls ahead, 43-42. The students start singing, "Na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye." South ties it up with 0.4 seconds left. "Come on, let's go!" yells Matthew, who does another back flip.
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I'm an SME graduate (class of '96) and wow, my experience could not have been different. I was pretty out and it was NOT okay. I'm happy to see that things have changed for the better.
Maybe I am reading too much into this story. However, if you look hard enough, not only will you see the story as written, but you will also see a story reminding people that it is ok to be who you are. This story is more than just another 'gay coming out story'.
Maybe I am reading too much into this story. However, if you look hard enough, not only will you see the story as written, but you will also see a story reminding people that it is ok to be who you are. This story is more than just another 'gay coming out story'.
A homosexual proponent here addresses Matthew with these oh-so-very-insightful words: "...Go wherever the Great Spirit leads you, Matthew!" (or some such words).
Question is, if homosexuals don't follow the Bible's dictates, and if atheists and other non-believers similarly don't warm to the Western world's Judeo-Christian brand of holy scripture, precisely what is your core belief system, my homosexual and non-believing friends, and with precisely which religious doctrine do you plan to replace Christianity when Christ ultimately "calls home" his 'own,' and two-billion Muslims and a few other billion non-believers invade your humbled land and threaten you with the loss of your head?
Think a fanatical Muslim and several billion invading Asiatics are going to swallow your "...I've at last come out of the closet, and fully expect your obeisance to my whims...." argument?
Think again. Think deeply.
A homosexual proponent here addresses Matthew with these oh-so-very-insightful words: "...Go wherever the Great Spirit leads you, Matthew!" (or some such words). Question is, if homosexuals don't follow the Bible's dictates, and if atheists and other non-believers similarly don't warm to the Western world's Judeo-Christian brand of holy scripture, precisely what is your core belief system, my homosexual and non-believing friends, and with precisely which religious doctrine do you plan to replace Christianity when Christ ultimately "calls home" his 'own,' and two-billion Muslims and a few other billion non-believers invade your humbled land and threaten you with the loss of your head? Think a fanatical Muslim and several billion invading Asiatics are going to swallow your "...I've at last come out of the closet, and fully expect your obeisance to my whims...." argument? Think again. Think deeply.
Congrats on coming out so young. I wish I would have. It was to long of a wait to come out when I was 21. Hope all goes well with your travels and through college, its a great time. Quesiton though does the whole family know or just close family members?
Congrats on coming out so young. I wish I would have. It was to long of a wait to come out when I was 21. Hope all goes well with your travels and through college, its a great time. Quesiton though does the whole family know or just close family members?
WHO CARES?? I found a great use for The Pitch this weekend. The paper covers the floor nicely when stripping down old furniture. The box by my house was full of them. THANKS PITCH!!!
WHO CARES?? I found a great use for The Pitch this weekend. The paper covers the floor nicely when stripping down old furniture. The box by my house was full of them. THANKS PITCH!!!
As an old man who admires the procession of SME students on the streets throughout the Village, I want to add my congratulations to Matthew, his family and friends. Also, I want to say "thank you" to the author of this well written feature, that caused me to blubber a bit--in a quiet way. Why should any young man or woman in our comfortable middle class neighborhood have to face the soul-scarring experience of being judged or ridiculed for being "different"? Matthew, you are fortunate, I didn't have such good fortune when I was growing up in San Francisco--yes San Francisco, now the gay capital of the United States. So like some of your school mates, I tried hard to be as masculine as I was suppose to be; to carry my books the right way (no backpacks then), and to keep my eyes pointed the right direction in the gym shower room--I did all this out of great fear--fear that Matthew has been spared. There were no male cheer leaders in my day, but there were theatre clubs and classes. There was also my pride in playing the father, Joe, in the first non-pro-fessional production of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" in my senior year. That was the year I was awarded an acting scholarship to Northwestern University, and then the beginning of a New York and West Coast directing career. Today I'm retired, with an attempt at marriage behind me. I'm writing my memoirs for a demanding publisher. And you, Matthew, my boy--go from this place to Oklahoma. Keep your head held high; hold tightly to the hand of James or whomever it will be. Have faith in the Great Spirit, in whom you will never walk alone.
I'm really proud of Matthew and proud that East (who is widely known to have a very poor reputation in the social acceptance department) is becoming open enough to accept anyone other than what is considered "mainstream norm" in society. Now maybe the staff and students can try to accept those students who dress differently as well. Not all of them are angry little psycho's. Some just like to be different.
As an old man who admires the procession of SME students on the streets throughout the Village, I want to add my congratulations to Matthew, his family and friends. Also, I want to say "thank you" to the author of this well written feature, that caused me to blubber a bit--in a quiet way. Why should any young man or woman in our comfortable middle class neighborhood have to face the soul-scarring experience of being judged or ridiculed for being "different"? Matthew, you are fortunate, I didn't have such good fortune when I was growing up in San Francisco--yes San Francisco, now the gay capital of the United States. So like some of your school mates, I tried hard to be as masculine as I was suppose to be; to carry my books the right way (no backpacks then), and to keep my eyes pointed the right direction in the gym shower room--I did all this out of great fear--fear that Matthew has been spared. There were no male cheer leaders in my day, but there were theatre clubs and classes. There was also my pride in playing the father, Joe, in the first non-pro-fessional production of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" in my senior year. That was the year I was awarded an acting scholarship to Northwestern University, and then the beginning of a New York and West Coast directing career. Today I'm retired, with an attempt at marriage behind me. I'm writing my memoirs for a demanding publisher. And you, Matthew, my boy--go from this place to Oklahoma. Keep your head held high; hold tightly to the hand of James or whomever it will be. Have faith in the Great Spirit, in whom you will never walk alone.
I'm really proud of Matthew and proud that East (who is widely known to have a very poor reputation in the social acceptance department) is becoming open enough to accept anyone other than what is considered "mainstream norm" in society. Now maybe the staff and students can try to accept those students who dress differently as well. Not all of them are angry little psycho's. Some just like to be different.
Congrats Matthew!!
I heard about you on the Feast of Fools Podcast....
It would be really cool if they would interview you in their show....
Derek
http://www.dereketnyre.com
Congrats Matthew!! I heard about you on the Feast of Fools Podcast.... It would be really cool if they would interview you in their show.... Derek http://www.dereketnyre.com
I really think the reason as to why this story should be told is it is a sign of the times we live in. I graduated in 1968. Our homecoming King was captain of the football & basketball team. His queen was the daughter of the most prominent lawyer in town. They went to prom together. He was black - She was white. Back then it raised as many eyebrows as Matthew's story does today. Let's hope it does not take 40yrs for it to become moot.
I really think the reason as to why this story should be told is it is a sign of the times we live in. I graduated in 1968. Our homecoming King was captain of the football & basketball team. His queen was the daughter of the most prominent lawyer in town. They went to prom together. He was black - She was white. Back then it raised as many eyebrows as Matthew's story does today. Let's hope it does not take 40yrs for it to become moot.
Matthew is my brother (yes I am the Katie in the story with the "small silver car" - haha), and I know I am completely biased, but Matthew really is a happy, friendly person and great role-model for young kids, whether they are gay or straight or whatever. I agree with those of you who say that one of the functions of this article (along with being a human-interest piece) is to provide a story & support to young gay people who are trying to figure out who they are and who are scared of how their friends & others will accept them. I also think that it shows the general public that the younger generations are much more accepting than their older counterparts. I understand that this isn't the first time a gay, young, accepted, popular, happy kid has existed or been written about, but the same can be said about a lot of other human interest stories with a wide range of topics. So here's a suggestion for those of you who don't like what or who the Pitch (or any other publication) writes about... don't read it. :)
Matthew is my brother (yes I am the Katie in the story with the "small silver car" - haha), and I know I am completely biased, but Matthew really is a happy, friendly person and great role-model for young kids, whether they are gay or straight or whatever. I agree with those of you who say that one of the functions of this article (along with being a human-interest piece) is to provide a story & support to young gay people who are trying to figure out who they are and who are scared of how their friends & others will accept them. I also think that it shows the general public that the younger generations are much more accepting than their older counterparts. I understand that this isn't the first time a gay, young, accepted, popular, happy kid has existed or been written about, but the same can be said about a lot of other human interest stories with a wide range of topics. So here's a suggestion for those of you who don't like what or who the Pitch (or any other publication) writes about... don't read it. :)
WhooptyDooo....we know what the pimple faced homecoming king-queen likes to do for sex!Who cares.What makes him special for being gay.I thought we are all just people and should be treated as the same.Right Libs?Its a sex act...not a race,religion or gender.Oh well...what are you gonna do.The Bitch writes as if 100% of its readers are gay.At least the "fruit fly-Fag hag"crowd enjoyed the article.You know...the cool chicks that always, allegedly,has a gay friend or Black friend (like a pet poodle)as some type of status symbol.
WhooptyDooo....we know what the pimple faced homecoming king-queen likes to do for sex!Who cares.What makes him special for being gay.I thought we are all just people and should be treated as the same.Right Libs?Its a sex act...not a race,religion or gender.Oh well...what are you gonna do.The Bitch writes as if 100% of its readers are gay.At least the "fruit fly-Fag hag"crowd enjoyed the article.You know...the cool chicks that always, allegedly,has a gay friend or Black friend (like a pet poodle)as some type of status symbol.
As long as the kid agreed to do the article, I think it could be helpful for other gay students to see a positive role model. When I was his age, and even older I was told all gay people were pervs, and I believed it because I didn't know any other out gay people. Having information like this would have been helpful. Other than his father dying so young, it sounds like he's having a good life. Good for him.
As long as the kid agreed to do the article, I think it could be helpful for other gay students to see a positive role model. When I was his age, and even older I was told all gay people were pervs, and I believed it because I didn't know any other out gay people. Having information like this would have been helpful. Other than his father dying so young, it sounds like he's having a good life. Good for him.
He's a talented, popular, well-adjusted, happy gay kid who has been out since freshman year and was named Homecoming King. How can the first two commenters not recognize that highlighting someone like that is important to other young gays, who so often face hatred and violence? I'm only 35, but high school was hell for me, and I grew up in a wealthy, "progressive" school district.
I saw bravo for profiling the kid and showing how normal he is, and how his peers don't care. Once everyone now under 30 is 50, there will be very little homophobia left in this country.
I think it's really sad that anyone who supposedly supports gays could have a negative reaction to this article.
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