“You sit here and you tell me that if somebody walked up to you and you’ve already paid all your money to go a prom that you’ve waited 11 years to go to and it’s a sacred event and somebody walks in and says ‘Oh I’m gay, I’m going to do a walk through with another guy,” yelled one ‘concerned citizen’ while being filmed by the local TV station, affiliated with ABC. In the same news segment, the local reporter doesn’t bother to challenge concerned citizens’ declarations that a gay couple’s presence would ruin the prom.
In the face of parent pressure, the school district administration is standing up for its decision and pleading with protesters to drop the subject, pointing out the dubious legality of canceling the prom because a gay student is bringing his boyfriend. From their press release:
“This statement is not an endorsement of any particular practice or lifestyle, but rather recognition of the legal environment in which public schools operate today. In the interest of fairness to all students who have looked forward to their prom, school officials did not entertain the option of cancelling the prom.
“Our school system is struggling with much larger concerns such as budget shortfalls and striving to sustain our reputation for excellence in education. We have serious matters that require our time and resources and we simply can not afford to divert any of them away from our educational mission.”
Elsewhere…
D.C. –Congressman Barney Frank, who is generally reluctant to criticize the White House on LGBT issues, says President Obama is “ducking” on DADT, and not giving the issue enough support to pass. Meanwhile, the head of the Marine Corps is saying he’ll segregate LGB servicemembers from theoretically-straight ones if DADT passes. (AmericaBlog, The Palm Center)
DC –Obama appoints lesbian to EEOC – will this help with LGBT employment rights?
DC – Barbara Boxer introduces bill that would require all companies that offer domestic-partner benefits to continue giving health insurance benefits to employees’ unmarried partners under the COBRA program if that employee is fired.
Canada – Snake oil salesman who pushed electroshock therapy as a cure for homosexuality is arrested in Canada and charge with sexually abusing a male patient.
Italy – Bishop says gay people don’t deserve funerals