If you go to public school in the United States, then you are legally allowed to bring a same sex date to prom. Your right to do so is actually protected under the First Amendment as a right to expression. Additionally, you have a right to protection and an environment free from sexual harassment at school. This is protected by something called Title IX.
In part, this right is protected because of the actions of a high school senior named Aaron Fricke. Back in 1980, Aaron's Rhode Island high school told the high school senior that he could not bring a male date to prom.
Aaron's principal sent him a letter explaining the school's reasoning. Here is an excerpt from it:
Dear Aaron:
This is to confirm our conversation of Friday, April 11, 1980, during which I denied your request to attend the Senior Reception on May 30, 1980 at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Massachusetts, accompanied by a male escort. I am denying your request for the following reasons:
- The real and present threat of physical harm to you, your male escort and to others;
- The adverse effect among your classmates, other students, the School and the Town of Cumberland, which is certain to follow approval of such a request for overt homosexual interaction (male or female) at a class function;
- Since the dance is being held out of state and this is a function of the students of Cumberland High School, the School Department is powerless to insure protection in Sutton, Massachusetts. That protection would be required of property as well as persons and would expose all concerned to liability for harm which might occur;
Sincerely,
Richard B. Lynch
Principal
Aaron ultimately sued and won the right to attend his prom with a male date. As the judge deciding the case wrote, “I find that principal Lynch’s reason for prohibiting Aaron’s attendance at the reception the potential for disruption is not sufficiently compelling to justify a classification that would abridge first amendment rights.”
That decision guaranteed the right of any American student to bring a same sex date to a school sponsored dance.
Lambda Legal, a GLBT legal service agency has great resources regarding prom and other school activities.
The ACLU has also taken on many cases where GLBT students have been told that either they couldn't attend prom with a same sex date, or couldn't attend in clothes associated with the opposite gender.
Taking a same gender date to prom isn't for everyone. But if you decide to do it, it is best to be prepared and know your rights, so it can be a special night that you'll remember for the right reasons.
