A Washington, D.C., principal was met with cheers as he came out to his students as gay during a LGBTQ pride celebration at D.C.'s Woodrow Wilson High School on Wednesday, CBS News reported.
Principal Pete Cahall, 50, decided to reveal his sexuality since he was "tired of hiding," he told WNEW's Matt DelSignore at a pride event that drew protest threats from the Westboro Baptist Church.
"I would be a hypocrite if I tell kids to 'be who you are' and not be who I am," he said before praising the students for the supportive environment they've created since Westboro Baptist Church made their plans known.
Cahill, who has been the principal at Wilson for six years, came out publicly in front of hundreds of students and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, who was informed of his decision just moments before, NBC News reported.
Senior Aidan Parisi, who helped to organize Pride Day event, said a lot of people were surprised, including him.
"I was extremely proud of him for feeling comfortable to come out," he said.
Over 20 organizations came together to support the needs of LGBTQ youth at the school's second annual Pride Day event Wednesday.
"Westboro, known for its public crusade against gay people at military funerals, announced plans to protest the school's Pride celebration on June 9 and called the school's support of gay and lesbian students a 'shame,'" NBC News reported. "That protest is just one of 12 the church has planned in the D.C. area over the next few days."
Wilson students decided to plan a peaceful counter-protest after finding out about Westboro's intentions, The Washington Post reported. Around 1,000 students volunteered to participate in the silent protest.
Cahall's announcement was also met with support from local politicians, like D.C. Councilmember David Catania, who is openly gay.
