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Catholic school board rules against gay prom date
It is inspiring to know that someone like Marc Hall, young and in the process of his normal adolescent development, is willing to stand up for his truth.
Marc's honesty and bravery stand in bold relief as he makes himself heard in one of western civilization's most antagonistic (and I would also say hypocritical) institutions when it comes to the treatment of homosexuals.
Too often when grown gay men campaign on behalf of gay youth their motives are suspect. But here a youth speaks from his heart and with a motive as pure as any--he wants to choose his date for his prom.
When all young people are free to explore and express their developing affectional and romantic selves naturally and in step with the normal progress of their lives, we will have taken a huge step forward. This is critical to the mental and spiritual well-being of the individual and is equally necessary for the health of our society.
Paul Kool
Vancouver,B.C.
I think that he should be allowed to bring his date to the prom. As a matter of fact, in 2002 , I think that the word "allowed" should not even be discussed in that matter. This sould be a non- issue all together...people should get a clue that there are more pressing problems to deal with in the world we live in and focus their energy on those.
I would like to extend my best wishes to mr. Hall and congratulate him for his courage and his determination. Many "straight" people could learn a lot from him.
Gilles Veilleux
Quebec
The tendency toward homosexuality can, at times, be characterized in the genetic makeup of an individual. Most often the leaning towards homosexuality is brought about through disenchanted feelings towards the opposite sex. The tendency toward homosexuality can be worked through through psychiatric approaches. The practicing of homosexual relationships is wrong and the Bible in the Christian faith is very specific about this. All Christian churches encourage abstinance of homosexual behavior. By allowing Mr. Hall to take a same sex lover to the Prom we as Christians would be denouncing what the Bible speaks so clearly about. That does not mean that we do not love Mr. Hall. We can love the individual but that does not mean that we have to love the activities that he engages in. My heart goes out to Mr. Hall and his family. The Lord did not create us for homosexual relationships but for a man and woman to love each other so much, that from that love evolves the creation of another little human being through natural mating processes. Let us not try to make right what is so wrong - for the sake of defining "tolerance".
Thelma Tessemake
I salute the courage of Marc Hall,
and his partner, family and friends.
In my study of scripture, I don't recall Jesus ever quoted as saying
that God's love is extended to everyone except gays/lesbians, or women,
or any other group for that matter.
I understand that if a non-profit charity violates human rights
legislation, it's charitable status can be revoked.
Maybe the time has come to treat religious institutions in the same way,
if they chose to continue to discriminate against anyone.
John G Phair
As a Catholic, I'm outright shocked at the school board's decision to prevent
one of god's children to do the very thing Christianity expects from us, to
show pride in the love of another human being.
A board member's quote "this is not against you as a person but we do not
condone homosexual behaviour". This is a disturbing acknowledgement that our
Catholic school board are indeed still advocating hate in the guise of
righteousness. Marc Hall is a homosexual person. His behaviour is the
person that he is - a proud loving Catholic.
The Roman Catholic Church is once again trying to remove sexuality from
nature's own design, something that has often proved itself with disastrous
consequences for its faithful.
Terrence M. Loveridge
It truly amazes me that in this day and age, after all the progress made by the Gay and Lesbian citizens of this country, that there is a group of bigots still alive and well in Ontario. It would seem the Catholic church endorses through its educational system a discriminatory behavior akin to the outrageous hate crimes of the past promoted by such groups as the Nazi Party of Germany and the Klu Klux Clan of the U.S. I see no difference here. If we are to teach our children tolerance and acceptance of the racial and individual differences that make up our society, this is not the way.
Peter Desroches
SURREY, B.C.
I cannot tell you how disgusted I felt when I heard the Catholic School
Board's final decision with regards to Marc Hall's public request to
bring a same sex date to his school prom.
The Board listened to Marc's appeal (and that of others), and then stood
up and rendered a decision??!! They didn't even take a recess to
discuss the argument??!! What a way to add insult to injury. I can't
believe that the young man had the courage to stand and speak up for
something that he believed in, and that the holier than thou powers that
be had already made a final decision prior to the meeting even taking
place. A Catholic Church that condemns homosexuality in this day and
age is a joke, what with the constant allegations and convictions of
homosexual child abuse in the hands of their very own priests!
In my opinion it is none of the board's business who Marc brings to his
prom, and he never should have had to make this petition in the first
place. If Marc and his date are comfortable going to this event
together then that's all that should matter. This is a big event in
Marc's life and one that he and his friends should fondly remember in
the future. Highschool graduation only happens once in a life time, and
as long as the graduate and their date are not hurting another human
being, not doing anything illegal, and not hurting themselves, they
should be able to celebrate in the same manor as any other human being.
Let Marc take who he wants to to his prom!
Lori Stocking
London, Ontario
Okay. Let me get this straight. Marc Hall cannot take his (same sex) partner to the prom. Does this mean that if you don't have a date, and you go with your friend (who happens to be the same sex as you) it is automatically implied that you are endorsing homosexuality - what kind of a double standard is this! Maybe they should ban all people from the prom who do not have a date of the opposite sex. That way the Catholic School Board can rest assured that there will be no hanky-panky going on between same sex partners. After all there would never be any sexual encounters with couples of the opposite sex on prom night.
Jeanette Keswick
Ontario
What is this boy thinking!
The Catholic church does not allow - priests to marry, women to be
ordained, women to take the pill etc... Why would he think it supported
homosexual behaviour, and why would he think that the Human Rights
Commisson could rule on church dogma.
What a naughty fellow for not being a Good Catholic. Why doesn't he just
leave the church like so many others have done. Reduced church membership
is the answer for the Pope , not some arguements before a secular commisson.
RSM Humphreys
Congratulations to the Durham Catholic District School Board for actually
standing up for something. Many people may believe that gay relationships
are OK but the Catholic Church does not. The board is there to ensure that
a Catholic Education is provided and they cannot compromise the beliefs of
the church. If the young man does not like it, he should have attended a
public school.
Royal Senter
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