Australia: School drops ban against same-sex prom pairing
An Australian public school which refused to allow two girls to attend the debutante ball as a pair has reversed its decision.
According to the Guardian, Kiana Prewett was told by her school, Mount Clear College in Ballarat, Victoria, that she could not take her female friend to the annual ball because the pairing was not ‘traditional’.
In an interview with Melbourne’s Joy FM, Ms Prewett said that the ban was “really upsetting.”
She said: “Tradition is important but at the same time you need to change with society.
“It really surprised me. When I started at the school at the beginning of the year, they gave a presentation about how they were supporting equality among students, but then they say this.”
On Wednesday, Ms Prewett’s father announced that the student is now allowed to take her friend to the ball. He said: “It’s a good outcome, and it goes to show when you stick to something you can help people understand.”
The headteacher of the school, Lynita Taylor, said: “It is outdated and we are very keen to change to nature of the senior school presentation ball to be inclusive of everyone.
“The ball will be modified to ensure all of our students can attend regardless of who they wish to partner, or their financial situation.”
Mount Clear College is a member of the Safe Schools Coalition, an international partnership in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, tackling issues such as homophobic bullying and raising awareness on LGBT issues.
