Traditional Values
Yet again, the Roman Catholic Church in Massachusetts is establishing itself as the paragon of moral virtue.
In Attleboro, high school senior Rosanne Strott wanted to bring a date to the prom, but she can't, because her date would be a woman. At a public school, the administration would have trouble enforcing such a rule, but this is Bishop Feehan High School, run by the local catholic diocese.
Administrators say they have banned same-sex couples because they want the prom to remain traditional.
"We're not looking for trouble at our prom," George A. Milot, superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Fall River, said yesterday. "Having boys bring boys or girls bring girls opens the door to all kinds of scenarios that could lead to problems. We're not willing to open the door. We're sticking with tradition; we have enough problems as it is."
He insisted the diocesean schools are not discriminating against gays and lesbians.
"Rules are made by schools that anyone can call discrimination if they want," he said in a telephone interview. "The school has the right to make rules in the best interests of the students. We teach tolerance towards people who may be gay. That is not the issue at all. That's the confusion. It's against gay sexual activity."
Yes, proms will surely be chock-a-block with "gay sexual activity" if girls can bring girls or boys can bring boys.
It is surely better to enforce the "traditional" prom, with most of the opposite-sex couples getting drunk on cheap liquor and engaging in traditional, straight, sexual activity instead. Much better.
Labels: Bishop Feehan, prom, Rosanne Strott, traditional values
