MOUNT PLEASANT, MI —

Whatever the Diocese of Saginaw decides, Sacred Heart Academy Lead Administrator Denny Starnes stands by alumnus Dominic Sheahan-Stahl.

The 1998 graduate was supposed to be the speaker at the May 20 commencement.

They saw Sheahan-Stahl's recent engagement photos on Facebook. The Mount Pleasant native and Manhattan resident has been openly gay for 14 years.

Starnes called Sheahan-Stahl's mother, Kathleen Sheahan-Stahl, to tell her what was coming, that her son likely would not be able to speak. That's how Dominic Sheahan-Stahl learned he couldn't speak at the graduation of his youngest brother, William.

While the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has not yet issued a statement, Starnes issued his words of support and apologized for reacting too quickly.

UPDATE: The Saginaw Diocese stated Sacred Heart Academy did not contact them about uninviting Dominic Sheahan-Stahl or the assembly.



In front of the Sacred Heart students, staff, parents and various media,

Starnes gave an impassioned speech about what the school has been

through this week. He spoke haltingly and deliberately, giving support

to Sheahan-Stahl, the senior class at Sacred Heart and the Catholic

Church.



After hearing the students and praying, Starnes said he believes Sheahan-Stahl is the perfect commencement speaker.



"How can I not support this young man to come and speak to

this class?" he said before the school.



Starnes said he respects the Saginaw Diocese and their decision. As a neighbor to the Sheahan-Stahl family, he said, he knows them well and remembers Dominic as a boy.



"This is my community, of course I'm going to feel different

here than someone making decisions in another county," Starnes told the

student body. "The church is not sharing my position on this issue."



Sheahan-Stahl listened in to the assembly on Skype, and also spoke to the students.

No matter whether he can speak at the May 20 graduation, he will attend the ceremony.

"First and foremost, I am Willy's brother," Sheahan-Stahl said, to applause from the audience.

He said he doesn't want to lose sight of love and thanked the

, which includes a video.

"When I, as a human being, why am I any different just because

of who I love?," he said, growing emotional. "I am a homosexual man and I am proud of it."

The students broke into a long, loud applause.

"Why do we have to discriminate? We don't have to," he said. "We are living our lives through love."

Starnes told students the message they should leave with is one of forgiveness and acceptance.

The students have the opportunity to hear Sheahan-Stahl speak, regardless of the diocese position. He will give his own address in Warriner Hall at Central Michigan University. Starnes plans to be there. William Sheahan-Stahl said he expects a big turnout.

The family has received nothing but support, William Sheahan-Stahl said. He has not heard of anyone in the school who doesn't want his older brother to speak.

Many students wore T-shirts bearing handwritten messages such as "Let Dom Speak."

Whatever the Saginaw Diocese decides, he said, the family has made a difference.

"We did what we could. He'll still make his speech," William Sheahan-Stahl said after the assembly.

Follow reporter Lindsay Knake on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.