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Lesbian Sues to Wear Tux to Prom



A 17-year-old lesbian student in Indiana is fighting for her right to party, dressed in her own style. The student at Lebanon High School in Boone County, northwest of Indianapolis, filed a lawsuit with help from the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana after her principal told her she could not wear a tuxedo to the prom on April 25.

The principal cited a long-standing policy dictating that men wear tuxedos and women wear formal dresses to the prom. The student, whose name has not been released, countered with court filings saying that she does not wear dresses because they express a sexual identity she does not embrace.

The ACLU of Indiana has asked a federal court to issue an injunction requiring Lebanon High School to let the student wear a tux to the prom. They argue that the school district's dress code policy violates her right to freedom of expression, and runs afoul of constitutional stipulations that the government treat male and female students the same.

Attorneys for the school district argue that clothing is not a protected form of expression.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Michael
    Date posted: 3/12/2009 10:33:00 PM
    Hometown: Inianapolis

    Comment:

    I work in Lebanon IN and most everyone there is saying she should be able to wear what she wants and the school has no right to demand she wear a dress. It makes my heart feel good that this little Indiana town is more progressive than you might think. Way to go Lebanon!

  • Name: Shirley Drouin
    Date posted: 3/12/2009 6:01:00 PM
    Hometown: Paducah Ky

    Comment:

    If she has the courage to wear a tux to the prom I too wish her well. I wish I could have dressed how I wanted too some 50 odd years ago. The fashions of that period were torturuos devices. Rubber girdles on a slender young person who did not need a girdle. Spike heels that were sheer torture to walk in. She should express herself as she wishes. I dare say she will have a lot of female admirers. I would have gone to the prom if it were like that!! You go girl!!

  • Name: Roberto
    Date posted: 3/12/2009 11:29:00 AM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    It's a shame that the school administration is being to bullheaded about this. I wish her much luck in her fight to be who she is.



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