From lex18.com:
A Lexington Catholic High School student claims she was barred from prom because she planned to bring a date of the same sex.
Hope Decker, 18, told LEX 18 administrators sat her down Friday and told her she could not attend with her girlfriend, Tiffany Wright, who is also a student at the school.
“What I experienced in the Dean’s Office was blatant homophobia,” said Hope Decker, a senior at the school. “We were told that this school has catholic principles and so they couldn’t let it happen.”
“At first I was really upset,” said Tiffany Wright, Decker’s date for the dance. “I mean, we both cried and then I was like, this is ridiculous. There’s gotta be something we could do about this.”
Decker, Wright, and dozens of their friends still dressed up for the occasion and even attempted to get into the school for prom. When turned away, they decided to have their own outdoor version outside of the school.
“I just think it’s ridiculous that a school that claims to foster love and equality is doing something like this to its own students,” said Wright.
Apparently the time has come. I feel like we are having the Stonewall Uprising all over again. Some questions come to mind. What is the difference between these 2 ladies going to prom and a bunch of girls just going as friends because they don’t have dates? That happens all the time. If you ban people without dates, then you are discriminating against those who don’t have dates.
The more politicians and churches try to discriminate against gays, the more people are going to see the importance of pushing back. Maybe the time has come for people of good will to draw a line in the sand, like these kids did for their prom, and just say NO to blatant, codified discrimination. It will be the young people who guide us, as a nation, to accept people for who they are rather than what they are.
Meanwhile, kudos to Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church for sponsoring a LGBT prom evening for young folks who fit into that community. What do local high schools do around here? Public? Private? Does anyone know? Will the ACLU jump in on behalf of Decker and Wright?
If they want to bring a same-sex date to the prom, they should transfer from their Catholic school to a public school.
@Kelly, kids don’t always have the choice of where they go to school. What about what the girls says about a church that teaches love and respect or whatever it was she said?
I am not sure kids going to public school would have the option either. I wonder if all those kids who decided to take their prom outside by the car steroes will remain Catholic or if they will move to a more tolerant religion?
I have no problem with her shopping around for a church that gives her the answer that she wants. That is what freedom of religion is all about.
I also respect the right of the catholic church to set standards for its schools and require its employees/students to abide by them at school-sponsored events. These standards are probably the reason why catholic schools tend to be so popular even among non-Catholics and why they have long wait lists to get in.
“What is the difference between these 2 ladies going to prom and a bunch of girls just going as friends because they don’t have dates? That happens all the time.”
My guess is that since the students were talked to before the prom that they had made some public comment about it.
Kinda classy of the school not to kick them off their land and let them hang out. They weren’t obligated in doing so.
I will not be satisfied until the Government’s war on the Catholic Church acknowlege that ones love of sheep needs to be respected and allowed to attend prom. It is about freedom and love. Who do these religous biggots think they are on their own property!
Ok, my guess is that when the school officials counseled these young people it was not just about attending school or prom. These people have a responsibility for their souls, it is not simply an issue of school dance standards. My guess is also that these two young women are good students and attended this school because of the standardsa and educational opportunities offerred. Its sad that they now seek publicity because the school also has a serious religious component. Its also sad that the left cannot distinguish between secular freedom and respect for religous freedom. I agree, it realy was classy that they did not make a stink about them gathering on their property or about the clearly invited press and lights trying to make a specticle of the situation. Shame on the press.
@Blue, do you really think this is a left right issue? Who do you think “the left” is in this particular case and why do you think they cannot understand? I am just not so sure I understand this “left” that you seem to fear.
I will take issue with the fact that the school is responsible for anyone’s soul. At that age you are responsible for your own soul.
Shame on the press? The local TV station covered it. Why shouldn’t they? A whole bunch of kids outside the school on prom night? Seems like a story to me.
For the record, I belief that the school decides who it wants and does not want at its prom–regardless of who the school is, public or private. Final decision is theirs.
Now do I think they are right? Probably not but the decision is theirs. I would say the same if the school were Osbourn or TJ or Stonewall. The only requirement I would have is following the guidelines of the respective jourisdiction. Again, do I think all decisions are right? No. Do I think it is theirs to make? Yes.
@kelly_3406
Parents often think that parochial school will keep their children safe from the world of drugs, sex and probably rock and roll. Interesting to talk to kids who go to these schools….that isn;’t how it often is.
I guess in my belief system there is a helluva lot more wrong with hateful behavior than there is with loving behavior.
And if this was a Muslim school? How would you handle that one? Let me guess, it would be hands off, yet the Catholics are fair game. Explain that double standard to me please.
Why do you think I would care one way or the other? Catholics are fair game? Do you think the “denomination” is what matters here?
You obviously didn’t read how I, M-H, really feel about it. I believe it is always the school’s right to set the rules. Now, I might very well think those rules are wrong. Dead wrong. but, it is their school and their right to set the rules. The variance would be, if it is a school system, that school system has the right, not the individual school.
Moon, this wasn’t directed at you. It was a question to all who are critical of the Catholics having a set standard to live by, as if no standards should ever be established in the name of freedom. The world could turn into a three ring circus (California) and they’d be in heaven.
It’s as if we weren’t 16 Trillion in debt!