Same-Sex Couple Barred From High School Prom

Hope Decker and Tiffany Wright just wanted to go to prom together. Unfortunately Lexington Catholic High School did not agree, as it banned them from prom, because the couple’s relationship violates the Catholics’ position on homosexuality.

According to the Herald-Leader, Decker, 18, and Wright, 16, were turned away from their high school prom, despite having purchased dresses for the event. The school’s reasoning, according to an email by the school’s president, Steve Angelucci, was:

“As a Catholic high school, we uphold every teaching of the Catholic Church. The policies and procedures of our school reflect those teachings.”

Wright, however, disagrees. She stated Sunday night that:

“I would understand and respect the school’s decision if they truly upheld church teachings. 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.”

Huffington Post reports that Decker believes the girls’ treatment was based on more than just the school’s rules. she told LEX 18 that:

“What I experienced in the Dean’s Office was blatant homophobia.”

Both of the girls were understandably upset about the treatment they received from Lexington Catholic High School. Wright stated that:

“I mean, we both cried and then I was like, this is ridiculous. There’s gotta be something we could do about this.”

So, instead of enjoying their prom, they and their friends held their own parking-lot prom, complete with car stereos for music. Wright said that:

“We had a wonderful night, and we were surrounded by true friends. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

Suzie Napier, a Lexington Catholic senior, stated that she wrote a letter to the school expressing her displeasure about the ban. Napier, who was in the parking lot with the two girls, stated that:

“I think that it is unfair that Hope and Tiffany were not allowed to attend prom together…I can understand why, but I don’t agree with it…I definitely think this prom will be much more memorable than any prom the school hosted.”

[Image courtesy of Herald-Leader]