Lesbian pupil told by catholic school: 'Find a male date for prom or stay at home'

'Unfair': Angelina is furious her catholic school
won't let her bring a girl to prom

A lesbian student has been banned from taking her girlfriend to prom, after her catholic school told her she could only take a male date.

In a move that has riled gay rights campaigners, Angelina Lange, 17, from Bay Shore, New York, was told it went against her catholic school's ethos to allow a same-sex couple to the leavers' party together.
The girl is furious at what she deems double standards at St. Anthony's High School in Long Island, which turns a blind eye to straight couples being together openly before marriage.
Angelina, who is the first student to ask to bring a same-sex partner to prom since the school was founded in 1933, told the Mail: 'I feel it is unfair. The catholic church views sexual contact between same sex people the same as premarital sex. The church recognises gays as individuals, it does not condone physical contact.
'If gays are not allowed at prom because it is assumed that they are engaging in sexual activity then heterosexual couples should not be allowed at prom because then it can be assumed that they are participating in premarital sex.'

She added: 'Friends should be allowed to bring friends regardless of whether or not they are dating.'
St. Anthony's, which is a mixed Roman Catholic school for 2,500 students insist they are merely staying true to their religious principles.
Brother Gary Cregan, principal of the Roman Catholic school, said Angelina was a well-respected student and the decision was not personal.

Resilient: Angelina, left, poses with one of her supportive friends

Disappointed: Angelina now has to choose either to go alone or with a boy

'We thought it would send a mixed message to OK her request,' he told MSNBC. 'Our Catholic faith specifies that marriage involve a man and a woman, and our policies on dating must reflect that.'
'We mean no malice or disrespect. But this is an important part of our faith and we must stand by it,' he added.
As a private school, St. Anthony's is at liberty to chose to restrict its events as it sees fit - and Angelina said she will not challenge the decision.
But gay rights activists and fellow students are furious and have demanded the principal changes his mind.

School: St. Anthony's, the catholic school at the centre of the storm

James Fallarino, from the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Services Network, said not allowing Angelina to prom with another girl was a form of 'bullying'.
'The message is that the school doesn't really care about its students, and that's not a good message,' he added.
Christian Greco, a fellow senior at the school, said: 'I think Angelina should be allowed to bring whoever she wants.'
Parents outside the school gates agreed. 'Who does it hurt?' one father, who asked not to be named, said.