...to Miss. school prom off after lesbian's date request

This article about a teenage lesbian wanting to bring her girlfriend to her high school's prom isn't something I normally would want to write about, because it is such a controversial subject. However, today, I want to talk about a couple of things I notice about the situation, although it's doubtful I'll come to any real conclusion.

First off, although I do not support homosexuality, I think that this student does have the right to practice her own beliefs. While these practices may make other students uncomfortable, it does not interfere with their safety, which should be the primary concern at a school activity.

Secondly, the girl and her girlfriend already face opposition in the community, and school should be a neutral environment in which she is free to make her own decisions about whom she will date.

On the other hand, the community does have values to which they adhere strongly, and the school is within the community, even an integral part of it. It can be argued that the school, being this driving force in a community (For example, small towns are extremely loyal to the high school's football team, traveling all over to support that. Parents with adequate education either full-time or substitute teach at the schools, and also head committees), is a place where values will be reinforced and shaped. Keeping this in mind though, how can a lesson about acceptance be a negative experience for students --especially as they prepare to break into a larger pool of people, with diverse cultures, values, and beliefs?