Lesbian Couple Barred from Prom

**plasty** · 05-14-12 at 07:26 AM

Same-sex couple barred from Lexington Catholic prom

Two female students say they were not allowed to attend Lexington Catholic High School's prom as a couple Saturday night, upsetting a number of students at the school.
Hope Decker, 18, a senior, and sophomore Tiffany Wright, 16, had already gotten their dresses for the event, but Friday afternoon they were told by school administrators they could not attend as a couple because of the church's stance on same-sex relationships, Wright said.
In an email Sunday, Lexington Catholic president Steve Angelucci said, "As a Catholic high school, we uphold every teaching of the Catholic Church. The policies and procedures of our school reflect those teachings."
When the couple tried to enter the school's gymnasium, where the prom was held, they were turned away, so Wright said they held their own prom in the school's parking lot.

Lexington Catholic students Tiffany Wright, left,
and Hope Decker said they weren't allowed at the
school prom, so they held their own outside.

"I would understand and respect the school's decision if they truly upheld church teachings," Wright said Sunday night. "They didn't forbid the entrance of all the couples who've had premarital sex and all the kids who planned to get drunk after the prom."
Wright said Decker was "overwhelmed with all of the attention" and did not want to comment for this story. Decker later called and asked the story not be printed because she didn't want to hurt the reputation of the high school.
Wright said the couple's parking-lot prom was great.
"We had a wonderful night, and we were surrounded by true friends," Wright said. "I'll remember it for the rest of my life."
Among the other students outside with them were Lexington Catholic senior Suzie Napier, who said she wrote a letter to school administrators expressing displeasure at their decision. Napier said 107 fellow students signed it.

"I think that it is unfair that Hope and Tiffany were not allowed to attend prom together," Napier said. "I can understand why, but I don't agree with it."
"Universal love and acceptance," she said, is a greater Catholic tradition than its stance on same-sex relationships.
Napier said the students played music from their parked cars at the outside prom and set up a table for refreshments.
"I definitely think this prom will be much more memorable than any prom the school hosted," Napier said.
Megan Carter-Stone, a senior, also attended the outside prom.
"It was a wonderful time, and I think we got our point across," Carter-Stone said. "At least I hope we did."

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http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/13/2186828/same-sex-couple-denied-entrance.html

**lvstealth** · 05-14-12 at 07:43 AM

it is a Catholic school, they can do as they see fit. If you start a religion, or a school you can do it as you like, assuming the state education minimum is upheld. You can home school also, but you can't tell someone else how to run their private school. opt out if you don't approve.

on a personal note, i find it sanctioned bigotry. lots of religions are a breeding pot for bigotry.

smiles,
Mandy

**plasty** · 05-14-12 at 07:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by lvstealth

it is a Catholic school, they can do as they see fit. If you start a religion, or a school you can do it as you like, assuming the state education minimum is upheld. You can home school also, but you can't tell someone else how to run their private school. opt out if you don't approve.

on a personal note, i find it sanctioned bigotry. lots of religions are a breeding pot for bigotry.

smiles,
Mandy

I like what this girl says:

Quote:

"I would understand and respect the school's decision if they truly upheld church teachings," Wright said Sunday night. "They didn't forbid the entrance of all the couples who've had premarital sex and all the kids who planned to get drunk after the prom."

Sounds right to me.

**mirrow** · 05-14-12 at 07:55 AM

What does the savoir of mankind (America*) Ron Paul has to say about this?

**tomandsusan** · 05-14-12 at 08:06 AM

If you come to my house, you obey my rules. If I go to your house I obey your rules. If you go to Britain, ------wait a minute, WHO would want to go to Britain???

Adanaliyik · 05-14-12 at 08:10 AM

Actually, the school could be sued for discrimination, and could lose...

Catholic schools don't fall into the same category as other private institutions because of their tax free status. Therefore, they are more bound to the laws governing public institutions than they are to those governing true private schools.

Whether the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union for those that don't know) will make an issue of this and bring a lawsuit against the church or not, I can't say. But they could easily do so, and have brought similar situations to trial before.

:)

**EvilToeKnee** · 05-14-12 at 08:12 AM

And they're cute lesbians too. Awww, poor "living in sin" lesbians....

Adanaliyik · 05-14-12 at 08:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by EvilToeKnee

And they're cute lesbians too. Awww, poor "living in sin" lesbians....

That's the problem, all the best looking women are lesbians... At least that's what they tell me when I ask them out...

:)

**Omega_Prime** · 05-14-12 at 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tomandsusan

If you come to my house, you obey my rules. If I go to your house I obey your rules. If you go to Britain, ------wait a minute, WHO would want to go to Britain???

Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America?

D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car

Adanaliyik · 05-14-12 at 08:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Omega_Prime

Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America?

D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car

Yeah, Mandy would shoot you for that...

:)

dantatty · 05-14-12 at 08:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Omega_Prime

Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America?

D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car

Top Gear US special? great episode

FreedomGundam · 05-14-12 at 08:32 AM

It's a Catholic school and has some RULES in place just like any other school.
To find out who had sex they should have doctors at the door examining kids, that's one stupid argument. And Discrimination charges would be equally stupid, you can't break the rules of the insitude you are attending, you don't like it fine, go someplace else.

**lvstealth** · 05-14-12 at 08:47 AM

The Catholic school's tax free status is from their religious affiliations. They have won numerous attempts to use this as a means to force them to do things. They are a Religion backed school and as long as the Pope says it is bad, the state cannot do anything about it. The Federal Government could do some things, but not tell them they have to accept gays.

smiles,
Mandy

Adanaliyik · 05-14-12 at 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by FreedomGundam

It's a Catholic school and has some RULES in place just like any other school.
To find out who had sex they should have doctors at the door examining kids, that's one stupid argument. And Discrimination charges would be equally stupid, you can't break the rules of the insitude you are attending, you don't like it fine, go someplace else.

As has been pointed out over and over, people in America sue for the stupidest reasons, and even worse, win their lawsuits. And, were this to go to American court, they'd probably win this one as well.

The fact is that a "public" school, whether directly subsidized by the government, or given tax free status as a religious organization, is not allowed to discriminate based on race, creed, or sexual orientation. That's the law in America. And, with the big push, by the liberal establishment, for legalization of same sex marriages, this is a hot issue.

This is not about breaking the rules of the institution, since I'll guarantee there is nothing in the school charter that expressly forbids same sex relationships. A sin by religious standards, yes. But a violation of written school policy, no. And, the bible does not constitute written school policy, even in a Catholic school.

Besides, if this was strictly about violation of school rules, provided there were such, the girls would have been expelled as soon as the school found out about their relationship. But, they weren't kicked out, or as far as I can tell, even reprimanded by the school for their lesbian relationship. They were just told they could not attend the Prom together, and were denied entry when they tried. And, without any other actions having been taken, or any other warnings having been given, that smacks of discrimination.

:)

@IVStealth: I agree that the school cannot be forced to accept gays, because of their religious affiliation. And, had the girls been kicked out the moment their relationship was discovered, there would be nothing to say. However, the school administration elected to accept their continued attendance, knowing they were gay, and took no actions against them. That means they were fully and completely students of that school, not someone forced on them by the government. And, while they cannot be forced to accept gays into the school, once they have accepted them, they are required by law to treat them the same way they treat all other students, regardless of sexual orientation. To do otherwise is discrimination even if you are a Catholic school...

05-14-12 at 08:53 AM	#14
Adanaliyik Master Join Date: May 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 1,162	Quote: Originally Posted by FreedomGundam It's a Catholic school and has some RULES in place just like any other school. To find out who had sex they should have doctors at the door examining kids, that's one stupid argument. And Discrimination charges would be equally stupid, you can't break the rules of the insitude you are attending, you don't like it fine, go someplace else. As has been pointed out over and over, people in America sue for the stupidest reasons, and even worse, win their lawsuits. And, were this to go to American court, they'd probably win this one as well. The fact is that a "public" school, whether directly subsidized by the government, or given tax free status as a religious organization, is not allowed to discriminate based on race, creed, or sexual orientation. That's the law in America. And, with the big push, by the liberal establishment, for legalization of same sex marriages, this is a hot issue. This is not about breaking the rules of the institution, since I'll guarantee there is nothing in the school charter that expressly forbids same sex relationships. A sin by religious standards, yes. But a violation of written school policy, no. And, the bible does not constitute written school policy, even in a Catholic school. Besides, if this was strictly about violation of school rules, provided there were such, the girls would have been expelled as soon as the school found out about their relationship. But, they weren't kicked out, or as far as I can tell, even reprimanded by the school for their lesbian relationship. They were just told they could not attend the Prom together, and were denied entry when they tried. And, without any other actions having been taken, or any other warnings having been given, that smacks of discrimination. :) @IVStealth: I agree that the school cannot be forced to accept gays, because of their religious affiliation. And, had the girls been kicked out the moment their relationship was discovered, there would be nothing to say. However, the school administration elected to accept their continued attendance, knowing they were gay, and took no actions against them. That means they were fully and completely students of that school, not someone forced on them by the government. And, while they cannot be forced to accept gays into the school, once they have accepted them, they are required by law to treat them the same way they treat all other students, regardless of sexual orientation. To do otherwise is discrimination even if you are a Catholic school... Last edited by Adanaliyik; 05-14-12 at 09:03 AM.

05-14-12 at 07:43 AM	#2
lvstealth Give me your Glow juice.. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 5,129	it is a Catholic school, they can do as they see fit. If you start a religion, or a school you can do it as you like, assuming the state education minimum is upheld. You can home school also, but you can't tell someone else how to run their private school. opt out if you don't approve. on a personal note, i find it sanctioned bigotry. lots of religions are a breeding pot for bigotry. smiles, Mandy

05-14-12 at 07:55 AM	#3
plasty Decrepit Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12,419	Quote: Originally Posted by lvstealth it is a Catholic school, they can do as they see fit. If you start a religion, or a school you can do it as you like, assuming the state education minimum is upheld. You can home school also, but you can't tell someone else how to run their private school. opt out if you don't approve. on a personal note, i find it sanctioned bigotry. lots of religions are a breeding pot for bigotry. smiles, Mandy I like what this girl says: Quote: "I would understand and respect the school's decision if they truly upheld church teachings," Wright said Sunday night. "They didn't forbid the entrance of all the couples who've had premarital sex and all the kids who planned to get drunk after the prom." Sounds right to me.

05-14-12 at 07:55 AM	#4
mirrow Master Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Delft, Holland Posts: 1,134	What does the savoir of mankind (America*) Ron Paul has to say about this?

05-14-12 at 08:06 AM	#5
tomandsusan Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Never Never Land Posts: 5,750	If you come to my house, you obey my rules. If I go to your house I obey your rules. If you go to Britain, ------wait a minute, WHO would want to go to Britain???

05-14-12 at 08:10 AM	#6
Adanaliyik Master Join Date: May 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 1,162	Actually, the school could be sued for discrimination, and could lose... Catholic schools don't fall into the same category as other private institutions because of their tax free status. Therefore, they are more bound to the laws governing public institutions than they are to those governing true private schools. Whether the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union for those that don't know) will make an issue of this and bring a lawsuit against the church or not, I can't say. But they could easily do so, and have brought similar situations to trial before. :)

05-14-12 at 08:12 AM	#7
EvilToeKnee 3rd Street Saint Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 771	And they're cute lesbians too. Awww, poor "living in sin" lesbians....

05-14-12 at 08:15 AM	#8
Adanaliyik Master Join Date: May 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 1,162	Quote: Originally Posted by EvilToeKnee And they're cute lesbians too. Awww, poor "living in sin" lesbians.... That's the problem, all the best looking women are lesbians... At least that's what they tell me when I ask them out... :)

05-14-12 at 08:17 AM	#9
Omega_Prime Autobot Supreme Commander Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,569	Quote: Originally Posted by tomandsusan If you come to my house, you obey my rules. If I go to your house I obey your rules. If you go to Britain, ------wait a minute, WHO would want to go to Britain??? Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America? D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car

05-14-12 at 08:20 AM	#10
Adanaliyik Master Join Date: May 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 1,162	Quote: Originally Posted by Omega_Prime Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America? D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car Yeah, Mandy would shoot you for that... :)

05-14-12 at 08:23 AM	#11
dantatty Newcomer Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 93	Quote: Originally Posted by Omega_Prime Erm isn't this America? Though who would want to go to America? D Be shot in the face for writing Nascar sucks on your car Top Gear US special? great episode

05-14-12 at 08:32 AM	#12
FreedomGundam Novice Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 215	It's a Catholic school and has some RULES in place just like any other school. To find out who had sex they should have doctors at the door examining kids, that's one stupid argument. And Discrimination charges would be equally stupid, you can't break the rules of the insitude you are attending, you don't like it fine, go someplace else.

05-14-12 at 08:47 AM	#13
lvstealth Give me your Glow juice.. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 5,129	The Catholic school's tax free status is from their religious affiliations. They have won numerous attempts to use this as a means to force them to do things. They are a Religion backed school and as long as the Pope says it is bad, the state cannot do anything about it. The Federal Government could do some things, but not tell them they have to accept gays. smiles, Mandy