Posted on 11/02/2007 4:13:35 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Yearbook Hesitates Because Of One Parent's Objections
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (Lake County News-Sun) -― A couple that met during drama class and has been going out for nearly a year was voted "cutest couple" during an annual senior yearbook poll last week at Waukegan High School.
But for the first time in the yearbook's history, the couple is two girls, causing controversy for school administrators.
After initially eliminating the category from the announced results of the poll, administrators now plan to include the gay couple's photo in the yearbook, which comes out in May, along with the pictures of about five heterosexual couples that received the most runner-up votes on a "cute couple" page.
The hesitation to include the girls' photo was not because of their sexual orientation but in deference to one parent's objections, said Jason Blair, an English teacher and yearbook adviser.
"One girl's mom wouldn't have wanted all the attention drawn to it," Blair said. "We were trying to prevent anyone getting embarrassed."
Following a yearbook tradition at the school, during a week in October students wrote their nominations in 25 categories on a write-in ballot. The categories included "best dancer," "best body" and "biggest flirt." While parental consent has not been an issue for categories, the yearbook staff has omitted some winners in the past if they thought students voted for them as a joke. For example, shy nerds have been vote leaders in previous "most popular" balloting.
Seniors Brandy Johnson and Lupe Silva, both 17 years old and Waukegan residents, say they won "cutest couple" because they are popular at school.
"We've been dating a year. We're pretty well known in the school," Johnson said. "Throughout our whole relationship we were open in school."
They say they know a handful of other gay students in Waukegan, but the school doesn't have a gay club, such as the Gay-Straight Alliance clubs at both Adlai Stevenson High School and Libertyville High School.
"Our relationship inspired others to be open," Johnson said.
While her parents are supportive, she said, Silva's parents have not been as accepting of her relationship since she came out to them in February.
"My mom is okay with it, but only to a certain extent," Silva said.
But her parents' opinion on the matter should have no bearing on whether she is included in the yearbook, she said.
"My parents have nothing to do with it," Silva said.
Neither set of parents responded to attempts to obtain comment.
Students in the high school have been talking about the "cutest couple" controversy since last week.
Senior John Hood, who voted for Johnson and Silva, said, "They're just an everyday couple."
Pics?
just cuz they are dykes doesn’t mean that they can’t be cute. Although the odds are that one of them is going to be fugly. But pics should be required in order to even post this thread.
Dude, they're in high school.
But her parents’ opinion on the matter should have no bearing on whether she is included in the yearbook, she said.
Interesting perspective about the people who support her financially.
Thanks for ruining The Match Game for me! ;)
Seniors
Cute, they’re not.
AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHH
MY EYES!!
The students made their decision, we’re not talking about someone trying to corrupt the meaning of marriage. Put them in.
If you truly want to see drop dead gorgeous lesbians, go to “Peanuts” in Hollyweird.
Guilty!
Oh, wait, wrong kind of thread.
Still, if these were the winners, I’d hate to see the people who lost.
Freepmail wagglebee or little jeremiah to subscribe or unsubscribe from the homosexual agenda ping list.
Be sure to click the FreeRepublic homosexual agenda keyword search link for a list of all related articles. We don't ping you to all related articles so be sure to click the previous link to see the latest articles.
Add keywords homosexual agenda to flag FR articles to this ping list.
I thought this was interesting.
“...the yearbook staff has omitted some winners in the past if they thought students voted for them as a joke. For example, shy nerds have been vote leaders in previous “most popular” balloting.”
“Shy nerds” win and so it’s a joke and discounted. Two fugly lesbians win and it’s the real deal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.