Gay Prom: Lesbians Win Legal Right To Attend High School Prom

By Rachad HollieWAFF/NBC News Channel

SCOTTSBORO, AL -- Two Alabama high school students didn't think they would be able to dance the night away at their high school prom last weekend all because they're gay, and the school wouldn't allow them to attend. But that all changed in light of a federal judge's decision.

A temporary restraining order was given to the Scottsboro City Board of Education. Chelsie Collins and Lauren Farrington are both students at Scottsboro High School and Saturday night is their school's prom.

Attorney Parker Edmiston says "earlier in the week Lauren and Chelsie were told that they would not be able to attend Scottsboro High School prom."

Parker Edmiston, the parents attorney, says they were told they could not go by the school's superintendent Dr. Judith Berry.

Parker says "and the only reason they were not allowed to attend is that their sexual orientation was brought up."

In this court order it says: the Scottsboro City Board of Education has sought to bar the couple from the prom because she has proclaimed herself to be a lesbian.

The school also says: students of the same sex are not allowed to attend the prom together. John Graham, Circuit Court judge here in Jackson County ordered that the Scottsboro Board of Education could not deny these girls attending their prom.

In 1984 the Federal Equal Access Act was passed by Congress. It says: it prohibits publicly-funded schools from barring same-sex couples from school functions.

Now instead of being all dressed up, and no where to go, these two students plan to make this night a special one along with the rest of their classmates.

Parent Sarah Collins says "I'm really excited for the girls they look great and they are excited, I think we all just been smiling like we are kids today".

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