Student Challenges Rule on Same-Sex Dates

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story....20031118CAJC101

 

Student Challenges Rule on Same-Sex Dates

 

 

BIG PINEY, Wyo. (AP) - A straight teenager is challenging a school district policy that bars students from bringing same-sex dates to school dances.

 

In September, Amanda Blair tried to defy the rule by taking another young woman to the homecoming dance at Big Piney High School. They were kept out by sheriff's deputies at the request of school officials.

 

Blair, a senior at Big Piney, has now enlisted the help of the American Civil Liberties in formally calling on Sublette County School District No. 9 to lift the same-sex date ban.

 

In a letter sent Thursday to Superintendent B. Weldon Shelley, the ACLU stated the policy violates a 1980 federal court ruling out of Rhode Island. The decision handed down in Frick v. Lynch found that students who bring same-sex dates to school dances are not only protected by the Constitution but that schools must take steps to ensure their safety when they attend the dances.

 

 

Ken Choe, of the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, said the ban violates students' constitutional rights to freedom of expression and equal treatment.

 

 

Blair said her test of the policy is meant to help and support her peers who are homosexual.

 

 

``I think it would be a lot harder if I were a lesbian to do this for myself. I'm helping those who are.''

 

 

Blair and her mother went to the school board after the homecoming dance, asking that the rule be changed. Kris Blair said she and her daughter contacted the ACLU after getting no sign from board members that the ban was going to be lifted.

 

 

A Sadie Hawkins event scheduled for Friday night was called off after school officials said there could be no dances in the district, according to Blair.

 

 

Shelley, the superintendent, was out of town Friday and Big Piney Principal Lee Kinney did not return calls. The district's attorney was traveling and not available for comment.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Well, I can't help but say I like what this chick did. A stupid rule is being challenged, so I'm all for it.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Big Piney's an awesome name for a town and a school.

 

What school do you go to?

-- Big Piney...

 

Where do you live?

-- Big Piney.

[Guest Choken One]

I wonder what's the Mascot is?

 

The Big Piney Trojans?

 

Yeah, I agree with the challenge...Maybe it's me but don't girls go with girls to dances all the time to avoid the whole "find a date" fiaasco...I believe it's called Stag....

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Yep. It's called "going with friends."

[Guest Choken One]

HA!

 

ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL WEBSITE...They are called the...

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Wait for it

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

THE PUNCHERS!

 

It's a pretty small school as well...Only 120 students and 20 teachers.

[CanadianChris 0]

It's a pretty small school as well...Only 120 students and 20 teachers.

20 teachers for 120 students? That seems a bit excessive.

[Guest Choken One]

well...Maybe they have 11 Football Coaches ?

 

But think about it...There's likely 10-15 people each class That means there are 15 different classes at once...So I guess it balances out...

[Guest Choken One]

Whoops....I was wrong it's 180 students...

 

That makes a little more sense.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

In September, Amanda Blair tried to defy the rule by taking another young woman to the homecoming dance at Big Piney High School. They were kept out by sheriff's deputies at the request of school officials.

Guess homecoming's a pretty big deal over there...

[DerangedHermit 0]

It's a pretty small school as well...Only 120 students and 20 teachers.

20 teachers for 120 students? That seems a bit excessive.

They call it overcrowding when there are 7 kids a class.

[Guest One Trick Pony]

I never got the rule of there only being 30 people in my high school classes and that being the limit. Like somehow if 31 people are in the class suddenly everyone gets screwed out of learning.

[Styles 0]

What's with all the stories about young, straight, high school girls acting like lesbians, and where were they when I was in high school?

What ever happened to just going with friends. You dont NEED a date to go to a dance. Just go with your "friend" problem solved.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The mascot should be a large Pine Tree with a black eye and boxing gloves

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

The mascot should be a large Pine Tree with a black eye and boxing gloves

No no no.

 

The mascot should be some overweight slob in a dirty wife-beater shirt...

[Markme123 0]

It's amazing to me that there are even rules like that in place today. I live in San Jose, CA and my school allows this stuff and even allows same sex making out(unlike in that other discussion). I guess I'm lucky not to be going to a school in Wyo.

[The Metal Maniac 0]

Like somehow if 31 people are in the class suddenly everyone gets screwed out of learning.

 

Maybe not with 31 on the nose...but what about 34? 37? 44?

 

More kids in one class means less time for the teacher to help anyone.

 

It's better just to have a limit so that's all avoided.