From Deseret News archives:
Gay couple go to prom after ACLU intervenes
Provo School District officials told the couple they could go to the April 23 event.
That decision, however, came after an American Civil Liberties Union attorney sent a letter to Provo High Principal Sam Ray.
The letter, dated April 15, said that students had called the ACLU and made a formal complaint after they were told by school officials they would not be able to attend the spring dance as a couple.
"In the past there were indications (that) some students were told they could not attend the promenade," said Greg Hudnall, Provo District's director of student services. "There was some confusion about it."
Hudnall said the issue was clarified and resolved. All students are "welcome" to such events, he said.
The ACLU letter, signed by staff attorney Margaret Plane, stated that the students' constitutional rights would be violated if they were not allowed to walk in the promenade.
"Should we receive any complaints this year about students being denied participation, we will take any necessary legal action to protect the students' constitutional rights," the letter stated.
The section says that students cannot be excluded from any program or benefit based on a variety of factors such as religion, race and sexual orientation.
The ACLU requested the principal send written assurances that the same-sex couple would be treated in a similar manner as co-ed couples. In the letter, the ACLU also asked Ray to remind teachers and other officials of the law.
Ray would not elaborate on the matter when contacted Friday evening.
"The issue has been resolved," he said.
The ACLU letter states that the complaint made by the Provo students piqued the ACLU staff's attention "based on current concerns and past difficulties."
According to the ACLU letter, in 1980, a federal court determined that prohibiting same-sex couples from attending prom was a violation of the students' First Amendment rights to free expression and association.
Ray said the issue will be discussed Tuesday at the Provo School District Board of Education monthly meeting.
Last year, officials at Murray High School were in a similar situation when two girls wanted to promonade promenade together at junior prom at the State Capitol.
One girl's mother sought help from Plane, who met with school officials. They worked out a compromise that allowed the girls to walk together while keeping the school's promonade promenade tradition of lining up boys on one side of the stairs and girls on the other.
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
Comments
- Utes prepare to go bowling 6:15 a.m.
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan 6:14 a.m.
- Utah vs. Weber State 6:04 a.m.
- Flash get dramatic win over D-Fenders 6:01 a.m.
- All-MWC football awards 5:57 a.m.
- Deseret News Ms. Volleyball 2009 5:48 a.m.
- 5A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 4A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 3A volleyball All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 2A All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- MWC '09 season in review
- Jazz win 6th in 7 games
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
906 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
349 - Utes won't respond to Hall
276 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
238 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
161 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
129
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
so sorry to hear this terrible news..much sincer condolences to the her family.
Time for him to go. PAST time for him to go.
After reading many comments posted on several stories since the incident...
Hey, I was at that Pres. Holland devotional, too. It was the year after the...
Sometimes when we loose we win, but not in this case. Want a future?...
First Meeting Utah, 12—4 (1896) Last Meeting BYU,...
Max Hall's only mistake was hating the sinner instead of the sin. He...
Kind of refreshing isn't it, Lee.
I voted for Morgan for Vice Chair, and I think he would still be worth voting...

You can be the first to comment on this story.