Christian High School Bans Student’s Transgender Boyfriend From Senior Prom (Video)
A New York City private Christian high school has banned one student’s boyfriend from accompanying her to the senior prom because he is transgender. The Martin Luther School in Maspeth, Queens, has refused to talk with the media, claiming student privacy rights.
Anais Celini, a senior at Martin Luther, told local TV station WPIX that school officials objected to her boyfriend, Nathaniel Baez, because his transition is “unconventional,” and his attending the senior prom would not be “beneficial.” Celini also told Buzzfeed that the school sees them as a same-sex couple.
But instead of turning the rejection into an issue, the couple has decided to create their own prom.
“I’m not going to fight them, that wasn’t the point. It’s a big night for everybody and I don’t want to cause a scene,” Celini told BuzzFeed.
Baez, 19, is saving money to put on their own small celebration, and Celini said that a transitional housing center has already come forward and offered to host a special prom for the couple. “It’s a really big deal, because he needs that money and he’s trying to put that together for me,†Celini said. “Nathaniel is helping.â€
Celini said both she and Baez were kicked out of their families’ homes after coming out last year. “Last year was hectic and we wanted to end the year with some peace†by celebrating prom, she said. They have been together for almost two years.
Watch:
http://launch.newsinc.com/?type=VideoPlayer/Single&widgetId=1&trackingGroup=69016&siteSection=wpixstudio_hom_non_non&videoId=25790904
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