04/14/2008
Gay Student at Aussie School Objects to 'Straights-Only' Formal
A gay student at one of Brisbane, Australia's elite Anglican private schools has made national headlines after threatening a boycott over the school's policies for its spring formal, at which male students are required to bring a female date.
News.com.au reports: "The student, who did not wish to be named, said he felt misled following his approach to a senior teacher and said he expected students would consider a boycott. The student said he approached Head of Senior School Dr Phil Cummins, who told him the school's practice of allowing only female formal partners would be "quietly changed" if he did not make a big deal about it. 'He said to me, 'If you go quietly about this and if you don't cause us too much trouble, we will just quietly change the rules so they're allowed and no-one gets hurt',' the student said. 'At the start of 2006, there was no one at the school who was openly gay, now there are dozens. Generally it's a very accepting school. It's not like anyone has ever been persecuted for being gay. A few students will have second thoughts about going to the formal because of all this.'"
The headmaster, Jonathan Hensman, stands by the school's policy: "We decide what is appropriate behaviour and what is not."
Australia's leading Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, who heads the school council, told ABC News: "I have no personal objection to a school deciding to allow boys to take friends who are boys or girls to take friends who are girls to school formals. But I understand in this particular instance the school has decided that its approach is to emphasise the interaction of young men and young women and providing them with an opportunity to do that in this kind of formal setting. And I have no objection to that either. I think that's a reasonable and legitimate approach."
Anger at school gay ban [news.com.au]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 11:01 AM EST by Andy in Anglican church, Australia, Discrimination, Education, Gay Youth, News | Permalink
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There's always the age-old solution of gay and lesbian students going together as dates, and then meeting up with their real partners once they're inside.
The other solution, which is unlikely but would be delightful, would be for all of the students to bring a same-gendered partner and just see what happens at the door.
Posted by: David D. | Apr 14, 2008 11:23:06 AM
I love the fact that he called his teacher on his bullsh*t. "Don;t cause trouble and we'll change the rules someday".... where have we heard that before? Good for this student for calling them on it! Gay dates allowed or no formal!
Posted by: Strepsi | Apr 14, 2008 2:04:18 PM
They REQUIRE that boys take girls to this event and people say that it's GAY people who push THEIR sexuality down people's throats?
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 14, 2008 2:24:28 PM
What exactly is the Archbishop trying to say? This kind of blathering makes me appreciate the extremists their message of hate is at least clear.
Posted by: SJ | Apr 14, 2008 2:42:56 PM
We hold these truths to be self evident, that there will be no special rules that give straights any advantage over gay people. What part of "equality" is causing this bigotry ?
Posted by: RickT | Apr 14, 2008 4:14:08 PM
It's not "a spring formal", it's THE formal, the most significant night of the high school calendar. In the US, it's called a prom.
Posted by: Mike | Apr 14, 2008 6:00:48 PM
It will be wonderful if the world is harmonious for both gay and straight people even lesbian, bisexual and transgender.As far as I know, many LGBT don't mind ther straigh people coming to know their life. take those bisexual at Bimingle.com . They are kind to other straight people to. Welcome them to their lives.
Posted by: youbytin | Apr 15, 2008 12:27:28 AM