Protecting your choices

Students who practice alternative lifestyles have the constitutional right of freedom and respect.

The issue of whether or not same sex couples should be allowed to go to the prom with each other is an issue that offers no easy resolutions, though debated endlessly in many different forums.

While schools have tried in the past to bar same sex couples from attending their proms, it is up to the student as to who they would like to go with.

The fourteenth amendment protects citizens right of freedom of association, and also the right of equal protection.

Students may not be barred from bringing dates that are of the same sex to the prom. It does not matter whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual.

Another issue that gay and lesbian students face is harassment. In regards to this problem, the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution requires the state to treat each individual with equal regard and worth.

According to the law, there is no rational basis for permitting one student to harass another student based on the victim’s sexual orientation.

If a student is being harassed due to their sexual orientation, they should first report the abuse in the form of a written documentation outlining the who, what, where and when details of, and any witnesses to, the incident.

The student should keep a copy for their own record and get proof that written documentation was in fact submitted.

If the student feels that their concerns are not being handled adequately, contact the superintendent of the school or the school board.

In addition to this, consider contacting other groups about the problem to focus attention on the school failure to protect your rights. Finally, one should keep a list of all the unfair incidents in your school.