Posted on 03/26/2010 2:34:11 PM PDT by DesertRenegade
A small group of Bleckley County High School students staged a rally at the courthouse Thursday evening to protest their high school allowing a gay student to take his boyfriend to the prom.
Bleckley school system officials last week granted senior Derrick Martin permission to take another boy to prom. The decision marked the first decision in the countys history about a same-sex couple attending the prom there.
We knew Derrick was gay, said Keith Bowman Jr., a high school senior who showed up at the rally. They dont want (Cochran) to be known as a pro gay town.
Most of the dozen attending the rally said they werent bothered by Martin being gay or being allowed to attend prom with his partner. But they said the school systems decision has brought too much attention to their small town.
People who dont know the area will think it reflects on everybody, said John Smith, a grandfather who owns an air-conditioning business in Cochran.
Before he stopped by the rally, he asked county officials Thursday if a separate prom could be held at the citys recreation center, he said.
The rallys organizer, Amber Duskin, sent text messages to high school students Wednesday asking them to show up.
The senior said she asked her high school to return her prom ticket money and does not plan to attend because of Martin.
I dont believe in going up there and dancing with gay guys like that, she said. Its also not just him bringing a boy. It was bringing all this attention to it.
A group of college students also stopped by the rally but not to protest.
Were for it, said Carly Nobles, a Middle Georgia College student. It takes a lot for someone to come out (as gay).
This is a small town. Some of these students are sheltered, and I dont think they can think for themselves.
Martin said talk at school Thursday was that the prom committee may do away with the traditional walk through when students and their dates are announced as they enter the prom.
Hes also heard some students are trying to have a separate prom.
As a result of the media attention, Martins parents have kicked him out of their home, and hes staying with a friend in Cochran.
Martins father is a math teacher at Bleckley County High and is the schools Teacher of the Year.
I think his dad is embarrassed, said sophomore Brittany Bohannon. As school faculty were introduced at an unrelated motivational speaking event Thursday, Martins father attended but stood in the background, she said. People thought it was OK I was going to prom but not OK with me telling anybody, Derrick Martin said Thursday. All this media attention has gotten people scared Cochran is an openly gay community.
Martin said the rally has not changed his plans to attend the prom with his boyfriend, Richard Goodman, of Tifton.
But Martin said he might not talk to media until after the prom to help minimize the attention that so many feel is unwelcome.
Nowadays, going to prom is like going to a social experiment.
It would be hilarious if these to “gay” pixies were the only two people who showed up.
I think asking for their money back is a positive step.
they SHOULD hold a seperate prom away from the sexual fetish.
Remember this homosexual is asking to be made special because of a sexual fetish.
this is not like no-date boys or girls going as a group.
Why the adults of Bleckley county aren’t raising a stink about this is puzzling,unless they are and the media just isn’t reporting it. Or unless,they are just too apathetic(that wouldn’t surprise me).
On the contrary, elitist snob, these students are thinking for themselves, hence why they don't support regressive sexuality.
There it is again. It's always about them and they have a need to shout it from the rooftops.
They should dress up as goats and satyrs and whatnot and make a mockery of an event which is already a mockery.
It takes a lot for someone to come out (as gay).”
Today? No, not really.
What would “take a lot” would be for him to come out and said he had those desires, but recognized they were perverted, and had fled to Christ to be forgiven, redeemed, and made new; and that he was resisting him.
What would “take a lot” would be for him to say that our desires are not the center of the universe.
My extended family comes from Cochran. It’s a way little southern town with very traditional values. They don’t like all this attention. Gays do, but normal people don’t.
I’ve read in the paper here that gay organizations are offering him goodies, limo, etc. He’s so speshul dontcha know
Were for it, said Carly Nobles, a Middle Georgia College student. It takes a lot for someone to come out (as gay).
This is a small town. Some of these students are sheltered, and I dont think they can think for themselves.
So you’re prepared to think for them Carly?
Typical liberal behavour.
Nowadays, going to prom is like going to a social experiment.
Chuckle, it might not have hurt to attend an English class or two either.
He’s just trying to get Ellen Degenerate to give him $30,000 for his college like she did the other lesbian wanting to go her prom in a tux to play Bull Dyke...
Good catch.
I think you should have spent more time in English class.
You beat me to it. LOL!
You know, even though I quit high school to join the navy, I consider myself quite proficient at grammer. Would the grammar police please explain what error Lormand committed to bring out your wrath?
No wrath on my part, just a chuckle. As you can see my reply to him was tongue in cheek.
I was commenting on his use of 'went' instead of 'gone'.
As soon as I seen that I new I had to respond.
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.