Alabama high school overruled after trying to ban same-sex prom couples

[DonViejo]

Source: Raw Story

An Alabama high school’s apparent attempt to ban same-sex couples from attending this year’s prom was promptly rebuffed after being leaked online.

WSFA-TV reported on Wednesday that rules for the event at Greenville High School originally stipulated (PDF) that “prom dates are defined as traditional couples and will follow the traditional guidelines of previous proms.” The rules allowed for dates between the ages of “10th grade to 20 years of age.” The rules were attributed to Principal Joseph Dean. The statement also urged students not to be upset at the DJ if he played “tasteful music.”

But the statement was quickly overruled by Amy Bryan, interim superintendent for the Butler County School District.

“No one has lost their right to go anywhere,” Bryan told WSFA. “It was unfortunate that it was in our rules. It has been corrected at that school. All children will be welcome to the junior/senior prom.”

Bryan told WSFA she was not sure what prompted the directive from Dean’s office, but denied any malicious intent on his part.

Regardless, as WAKA-TV reported, the attempted ban was quickly met with disapproval from many students.

“There was actually a straight girl sitting beside me, and she was getting more mad than I was about it,” senior Sarah Smith, who is gay, told WAKA. “So that made me feel pretty good to know that somebody was on our side.”

Watch WSFA’s report on the quick overruling of the ban, as aired on Wednesday, below.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/19/alabama-high-school-overruled-after-trying-to-ban-same-sex-prom-couples/

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Full article posted with permission

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/19/alabama-high-school-overruled-after-trying-to-ban-same-sex-prom-couples/

[Glorfindel]

1. The death throes of the old regime

We can expect much more of the same from many quarters, but in 20 years' time people will find it hard to believe that such nonsense ever took place. I hope I'll still be around to witness the better world that is coming.

[Ken Burch]

2. I'm guessing the district was fine with same-family prom dates, though.

[gopiscrap]

3. excellent

[truebluegreen]

4. That's gonna have some peoples' panties in a wad.

Am I mistaken or is that a uniquely/quintessentially Southern expression?

p.s. Bravo for the interim superintendent.

[alp227]

5. i wonder if this school ever banned interracial couples in prom in the past nt

[Trillo]

6. Of course. It can't possibly be malicious. No sirree

definitely not malicious. Uh huh.

[Feral Child]

7. K&R n/t

[wocaonimabi]

8. WTF is Tasteful Music? Lawrence Welk?

Good to see the kids fighting back!

[DonViejo]

9. Don't forget Kate Smith!

[wocaonimabi]

10. Some may find 2 Live Crew, Lil Wayne, Easy-E or Odd Future Tasteful

I think the kids today would be disappointed in Old Kate.

Maybe Kate could twerk and become hip with the kids today. I am sure someone with time on thier hands can do the CGI to make it happen!

[DonViejo]

11. Think the kids will like

orchestral arrangements and recordings of the the Beatles music? Afterall, the Beatles are more up to date than Kate!

[jmowreader]

12. I'm pretty sure it won't be Lady Gaga or Katy Perry

[marshall]

14. Tasteful music = Dixie, Swanee River, The South shall Rise up...

Old favorites like that.

[marshall]

13. Don't many straight friends go to proms together?

Not to mention siblings or cousins who pair up for the event. And I'm sure many a gay or lesbian student has partnered with an opposite sex friend for prom. I'm glad the rule was shot down.