Tag Archives: Prom

Student Suspended By Her School After Asking Her Girlfriend To Prom

A students was punished by her high school after she asked her girlfriend to prom during a school talent show.

After her girlfriend had performed in the talent show at Alabama’s Alexandria High School, Janizia Ross got up on stage and asked her to prom.

But despite her girlfriend saying yes to the prom-posal, Ross was given an in-school suspension, as was another female student who was acting as MC at the show and helped her.

Ashley Fadely, another student at the high school, told AL.com that school officials called the sweet act of public affection a “disruption.”

“I was there when it happened. It was right after her performance. No words were spoken by them. They just got happy, hugged and that was it. If it was a male and a female student, nothing would have been done.”

Writing on Facebook, Ashley said “Literally no amount of punishment was necessary.”

A recent graduate of the school, Nick Wyville, posted publicly on Facebook and wrote to the Superintendent of the Calhoun County Schools to bring attention to the situation.

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Nick, who is now a sophomore at Harvard College, said that straight couples had previously asked each other to prom – and even to marry each other – with no consequences.

“I write to you to urge the principal of Alexandria High School to drop all charges against the two young girls and to the hosts of the talent show, and any others involved. Federal law and the United State Constitution bars the harassment of LGBT students in public high school.

If the case is made that this was a public display of affection in front of an audience, then there is precedent that contradicts that very action.

When the talent show first unveiled itself, a male proposed to a female, and they faced no consequences. I, along with many others, can stand witness to that.”

Alexandria High Principal Anthony Mack Holley and the Calhoun County Schools Superintendent did not immediately respond to email requests for comment Wednesday evening.

Several current and former students posted on social media about the incident. Fadely said some students have started a movement to boycott prom if the two girls are not allowed to go together.

‘Be Yourself At Prom’ Campaign Aims To Give Teens A Chance To Express Their Gender However They Want

Designers Sharpe Suiting and NiK Kacy are encouraging high school students to share their views on why gender expression is important – as well as their ideas for a dream prom outfit – in a short video clip.

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One winner will be chosen to receive a complete prom outfit, designed to their specifications.

The competition, known as the ‘Love Fellowship’, is named after Louisiana teen Claudetteia Love, who in 2015 fought for her right to wear a tuxedo to prom.

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Initally, she was barred from attending in ‘masculine’ attire, and planned to boycott the prom until her school changed their minds following a media backlash.

The Love Prom website explains;

The Love Fellowship celebrates the inclusion of all gender expressions. Historically prom, an important right of passage for high school teens, has upheld rigid gendered expectations.

In support of all the teens challenging gender norms, the Love Fellowship annually chooses one teen to receive a complete prom outfit tailor made to match their gender identity.’

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Speaking to the Huffington Post, Wu said:

Hand delivering that custom Sharpe burgundy tux and matching shoes provided by NiK Kacy to Love’s house and seeing her face when she tried her prom outfit on for the first time was one of the highlights of my career so far, and it reminded me, yet again, of why I founded Sharpe in the first place.’

High school is a time in a person’s life when they start exploring who they are going to be and how they are going to express themselves.

How are they seen in the world? Will the world accept them for who they are?… Forcing youth to conform to rigid male-female gender expressions that don’t accurately reflect their identities nullifies this celebration.”

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Adding:

We should be striving to nurture individuality and creativity, and understand that each expression of self is valid.’

A winner will be chosen after February 15th.

MTV Celebrates Diversity With ‘It’s Our Prom: A Night To De-Gender’

Just last week, a prom proposal went viral when Jacob Lescenski asked his best friend Anthony Martinez to prom. The two were featured on Ellen, where they talked about how grateful they are to go to a high school that supports anyone who wants to go to prom, no matter who they bring as a date.

However, not everyone is this supported. For people who do not fit into the gender binary, prom can be a difficult experience. Students are often given restrictions on what they can wear, who they can bring as their dates, and sometimes are rejected from prom all together.

Enter MTV News, who wanted to send the message that prom is for everyone, so they asked 12 young adults with diverse gender identities to help create a series of looks that celebrate the fashion and true joy that’s possible when no one is excluded – It’s Our Prom: A Night To De-Gender.

Among the models for this shoot was Tiq Milan, who works with media outlets to ensure accurate and fair reporting for trans people.

It’s important for young people to see examples of LGBT and gender non-conforming folks having fun and showing love to one another. I would love for schools all across the country to allow students to come to prom in whatever makes them feel good and with the date of their choosing.”

This story highlights the importance of inclusion and support for the LGBT community in high schools. Every student should have the opportunity to attend and enjoy their prom, no matter their gender identity or sexuality.
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It is important to promote messages of acceptance and authenticity among high school communities, and to let all LGBT people know that you can be your true self at prom, and we’ve #GotYourBack.