Lesbian Couple Ranked Cutest In High School

CBS 2 CHICAGO ^ | 02 NOVEMBER 2007 | AP

[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."

[Thrownatbirth]

The categories included "best dancer," "best body" and "biggest flirt."

[Rosemont]

Gross. One of them looks like Robert Parish

[beejaa]

The kids think that it’s noble to consider homosexuality/lesbianism as normal. I’ve run into this attitude elsewhere. They are taught that tolerance is a virtue, even though it’s neutral. (Tolerance of what? Enabling what distructive behaviors?) They are taught that oppopsition to the gay rights movement is “hate”. I doubt that they are taught in school about how unhealthy these sexual activities are. I doubt that teachers bring up statustics on the US Centers for Disease Control website. I doubt that they are taught that AIDS has been spread principally by homosexuals in this country. They have been successfully indoctrinated and I think that we’re going to be re-learning why tradition has been correct.

[lesser_satan]

Neither cute NOR hot.

I'd hit it...

With my car.

[trisham]

Not cute.

[SIDENET]

Still, if these were the winners, I’d hate to see the people who lost.

LOL!!!

[Hegewisch Dupa]

Fannie Flagg is gay? Another wasted crush.....

[CSM]

“Senior John Hood, who voted for Johnson and Silva, said, “They’re just an everyday couple.””
**********************
And the indoctrination is complete.

[utherdoul]

ewwww, I was at attention and everything ... defcon one now everyone nothing to see here.

[RC51]

This is the girls

personally, I see nothing wrong with it. The high school year book is a student organized publication, for better or worse it should reflect their experience in high school. It isn't a big deal.