It’s prom season, and high school students all over the country are gearing up with fake tans, mani/pedis and elaborate schemes to ask their English class crush to be their date &- as long as that date is of the opposite sex.
It’s also the year 2010, if some of us haven’t figured that out yet. And though the country is still up in arms about same-sex marriage, equal rights are something upon which each of us in the United States should agree.
Constance McMillen of Itawamba Agricultural High School in rural Fulton, Miss. was banned from attending prom in a tuxedo with her lesbian date. After she protested, the school’s administration reconsidered their initial decision to ban same-sex dates, deciding instead to cancel the prom entirely.
McMillen was told by both assistant principal and the superintendent that she would not be allowed to attend in a tux or with a female partner after students were reminded last month of what the administration considers “acceptable” dates. While the administration cites distractions caused by the “recent events” surrounding prom to be the official reason for its cancellation, McMillen is at the center of the controversy after challenging the school’s policy.
In this day and age, it is ridiculous that a school’s administration is much more concerned with the sexual orientation of its students than the education of its students. The school should host the prom regardless of the sexual orientation of its attendees, and pursue positive campaigns that promote safety and education before, during and after the event.
Additionally, issuing discriminatory memos reminding students that their same-sex relationships make others feel awkward &-&- completely disregarding the feelings of those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual &-&- is extremely narrow-minded and hypocritical. By alienating adolescents, the administration is not accomplishing anything positive, but instead is upsetting many and creating controversy.
The school should not meddle in the personal affairs of its students, nor should it determine what is acceptable for its students. The school’s focus should be on the education and well being of all of the kids, not just those who identify as straight.
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