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She went onto to list dozens of leaders throughout history who were gay, from Alexander the Great, Lord Byron and Julius Caesar to more recognizable modern contemporaries such as James Dean, Freddie Mercury, Boy George, Elton John, k.d. lang, and David Geffen.
She went onto to describe how the pain of dealing with one's identity and others' and a variety of social disorders such as mental and physical abuse, ultimately forced people to become "invisible" to avoid scrutiny or have to face their demons.
However, she said, the recent Vermont Supreme Court ruling that gay couples were entitled to the same benefits as domestic partners was just the latest round in a number social firsts for Vermont.
"It is on the minds of students and teachers but it is scary to talk about, and it is history happening right down the street," Erickson said.
She went on to note that Vermont was the first state to have a Head Start program for preschoolers, a woman lieutenant governor, take property ownership off the list of criteria to vote, and outlaw slavery.
"Our state motto is Freedom and Unity," she said with heavy emphasis, adding that it was time for students to step out of the "shadow here at Montpelier High School" and deal openly and honestly with minority issues.
Gay-Straight Alliance representative Kate Clemente followed with a speech about acceptance.
Clemente stressed how gender difference did not bother children, but students often made choices later in life that hurt their peers and minorities.
"In the future, challenge yourself to appreciate the beauty in the differences between us... challenge yourself to see as you once saw a long time ago when you were children," said Clemente to resounding applause.
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Peer pressure and role playing that let to abusive remarks such as "fag" and "queer" might seem harmless to heterosexuals, but were deeply hurtful to minorities, added Chalmer.
In a powerful performance, Chater then took to the stage in his motorized wheelchair, weaving back and forth, flailing his arms and legs as he struggled to deliver his speech.
"It's incredible to be up here... a year ago, I never would have thought I'd be up here, but today I am," he said.
He went on to recount a story about how he chose to go to Colorado with a friend for New Year's Eve so that he could be near one of the few friends in his life.
"Why did I feel I had to go to Colorado to be able to have a good New Year's Eve?" he asked. "Because I knew there was someone out there who really knows me.
"Unfortunately, that is more than I can say for the majority of people at MHS," he continued.
"I've only known Kristy for six months. I've known some of you for 111/2 years. And yet I feel like a stranger in our school.
"You've seen, and you've dodged me as I am swerving down the halls with my arms and legs flailing.
"But have you seen me, the person? I just want to make sure you know I have a personality. You're looking at a guy who wants more than anything to go out on Friday and Saturday nights.
"You're looking at a guy who likes "Braveheart" and "Happy Gilmore." I am a regular teenager in every way, except for the fact that I can't control the way I talk or where my arms and legs go because my muscles are screwy," he added.
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Chater went on to describe how he decided to make a stand and become a peer leader after attending the peer leadership weekend last fall but was disappointed by not being accepted by peers.
"I dreamt of being 'in,' being one of the crowd, being inside," he said.
"But the reality is that I'm not inside. I am left out. I am outside, and I don't like it.
"And I am not alone. There are many other people in here right now that are not 'in,' or included. It does not feel good, and I am sure you would not want to be me.
"Forget pity. Forget guilt. Just imagine it was you who was stuck in my body.
"Getting up here is one of the hardest things I have done, but I had to give you some idea about what it's like to be an unknown in high school," he concluded to a thunderous standing ovation.
In a masterly touch, as if to add a little humor to a serious subject, Chater then showed video of his adaptive ski run on a special sled for paraplegics.
Students, visibly moved, both laughed and cried as he bounced precariously down the slope, and lined up afterwards for a town meeting to express their support and urge their peers to be more inclusive and understanding.
One student admitted to being bisexual. Another admitted to suffering from depression despite the perception that she came from a happy family.
In each case, the mood was conciliatory, honest, inclusive and passionate, as if a release valve had been opened.
Asked afterwards about the response from the student body, Chater said, "It was incredible... but let's see what happens next week, next month, and next year."
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