A lesbian student has been banned from taking her girlfriend to prom,
after her catholic school told her she could only take a male date.
In
a move that has riled gay rights campaigners, Angelina Lange, 17, from
Bay Shore, New York, was told it went against her catholic school's
ethos to allow a same-sex couple to the leavers' party together.
The
girl is furious at what she deems double standards at St. Anthony's
High School in Long Island, which turns a blind eye to straight couples
being together openly before marriage.
Angelina, who is the first
student to ask to bring a same-sex partner to prom since the school was
founded in 1933, told the Mail: 'I feel it is unfair.
The catholic
church views sexual contact between same sex people the same as
premarital sex. The church recognises gays as individuals, it does not
condone physical contact.
'If gays are not allowed at prom
because it is assumed that they are engaging in sexual activity then
heterosexual couples should not be allowed at prom because then it can
be assumed that they are participating in premarital sex.'
She added: 'Friends should be allowed to bring friends regardless of whether or not they are dating.'
St.
Anthony's, which is a mixed Roman Catholic school for 2,500 students
insist they are merely staying true to their religious principles.
Brother
Gary Cregan, principal of the Roman Catholic school, said Angelina was a
well-respected student and the decision was not personal.
'We thought it would send a mixed message to OK her request,' he told
MSNBC. 'Our Catholic faith specifies that marriage involve a man and a
woman, and our policies on dating must reflect that.'
'We mean no malice or disrespect. But this is an important part of our faith and we must stand by it,' he added.
As
a private school, St. Anthony's is at liberty to chose to restrict its
events as it sees fit - and Angelina said she will not challenge the
decision.
But gay rights activists and fellow students are furious and have demanded the principal changes his mind.
James Fallarino, from the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender Services Network, said not allowing Angelina to prom with
another girl was a form of 'bullying'.
'The message is that the school doesn't really care about its students, and that's not a good message,' he added.
Christian Greco, a fellow senior at the school, said: 'I think Angelina should be allowed to bring whoever she wants.'
Parents outside the school gates agreed. 'Who does it hurt?' one father, who asked not to be named, said.
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