CATHOLIC schools in Queensland have joined the crackdown against students escorting gay partners to Year 12 formals. With the formal season under way, Catholic secondary students have been reminded by their school administrators that it would be inappropriate for same-sex couples to attend major school events such as the formal. "The Catholic Church has a particular vision of family and sexuality flowing on to a responsibility to model this vision for children through formal activities in the life of the Catholic school," said Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Mike Byrne.
"As such it is not seen as appropriate for students to attend an event such as a school formal as a same-sex couple."
Brisbane's Anglican Church Grammar School last month banned male students from taking same-sex partners to the school formal on June 19.
But other secondary schools are more relaxed about who students can take to their formal.
Brisbane Girls Grammar School principal Amanda Bell said the school imposed no restrictions on who pupils could take to the dance.
"Guests may include male or female friends, cousins, parents, siblings, anyone," she said.
"Some girls choose not to bring a guest. The school encourages the girls to invite someone who will support and enjoy this event in a positive spirit."
Karen Spiller, the principal of St Aidan's Anglican Girls School in Brisbane, said the school had "no policy" on who students could or could not bring.
"We're very happy for our girls to go along and enjoy their formal in the company of their own friends and cohorts or to bring a friend or a partner," she said.
"The focus is on appropriate behaviour and enjoying their relationships with their cohorts."
Queensland state high schools also have their own guidelines regarding school formals, with no restrictions on same-sex couples.
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