Indiana

Prom Night (Update)

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

UPDATE: Lebanon School officials have released a statement saying they will allow the 17-year old lesbian student to wear a tuxedo to the prom. “School policy for this year’s prom will be that all attendees shall wear appropriate formal attire with no gender-based attire requirements imposed. Female students will be permitted to wear tuxedos if they chose,” the release stated. Translation: This is not worth the hassle.  She can wear the tux.

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There’s an interesting situation going on in Lebanon schools.  A 17-year old Boone County girl is suing the school district because she is a lesbian and wants to wear a tuxedo to prom.  School officials told her she would have to wear a dress.

The girl, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, is suing on the grounds that the rules violate the Constitution and Title IX.  She says wearing a dress forces her to express a sexual identity she does not identify with.

School officials say no one have ever challenged the prom dress code in this manner so they are exploring their options.

This is another one of those situations where I don’t see where the opposition is coming from.  Everyone in the school knows the girl’s sexual orientation and there is nothing to show that she is doing this to be annoying.   You usually only get to go to prom once, make the most of it.

Your thoughts.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 13, 2009 (boomark / email).