Gay Couple Denied Chance To Serve As Prom Kings

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Two students at Chattahoochee High School in Johns Creek have created a petition to allow students of the same gender to be named prom kings (or queens) if elected by their peers. The idea behind the petition began when the gay students, Carter Hebert and Joel Lerner, were denied a chance to serve as prom kings as a couple.

The pair were initially chosen by students to serve on the so-called royal court, but were told by school administrators that they could not be considered for the top title because the school's rules only allowed for one male and one female to be chosen, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Nearly a thousand signatures on a petition seeking changes to the process had been tallied by Friday afternoon.

Three boys and three girls were nominated, and the students were required to chose one male and one female to serve as prom king and queen. The original petition called on Chattahoochee High School to tweak its process to allow two people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, to have a shot at winning the title.

"This not only allows the chance for a homosexual couple to possibly win, but it also ensures that the most deserving people win," the original petition added. "This means that if the most deserving of the nominees are two girls, they would both be allowed to win, instead of historically only allowing one to be crowned royalty."

Fulton County Schools spokesperson Donna Lowry said Chattahoochee administrators met with the students requesting the change and they were told that "because nominations have been made and the process is underway, the school administration is not in a position to make changes at this time."

"If they would like to change the process moving forward, student leaders are encouraged to present a proposal to the school’s administration and governance board," she said in a statement.

Lowry told Patch that the system does not have a board policy prohibiting two people of the same gender from becoming prom king and queen at any of its schools. That particular school has a rule requiring one boy and one girl to be chosen.

"We have had that situation in our schools in the past (and currently) in FCS," Lowry added.

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Following the meeting, the students at the center of the push for change said they are shifting their focus to the future. An updated petition notes that Chattahoochee High School is "an extremely accepting place, and we are so blessed to have been given the opportunity to attend."

"They are so accepting of all people, regardless of background, race, gender, or sexuality, and it's understandable as to why that this close to the prom date, they felt it unnecessary to change royalty voting for this year," the new petition adds.

With this in mind, the petition now encourages all high schools to provide the same opportunity to other couples as it grants to those who are in heterosexual relationships.

"No kid, not matter where they live, should be forced to live unequally," the amended petition goes on to state. "And we are hoping to stop just that. We want to make a lasting impression, and with your help, we are going to be able to! Thank you all again for your support, and keep on signing and sharing!"

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