Comments on: GA Teen Going to the Prom, But Where Does He Go Afterwards?

By: Timothy (TRiG)

Timothy (TRiG) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:42:21 +0000

This statement is not an endorsement of any particular practice or lifestyle, but rather recognition of the legal environment in which the public schools operate today.

Don’t you just love it?

The law is forcing me to behave like a decent human being, and I DEEPLY RESENT THAT!

TRiG.

By: paul j stein

paul j stein — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:41:56 +0000

Well he is 18yo and has some attention now. Maybe a job from a gay benefactor could help him get his life started in a more supportive home situation.

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:40:58 +0000

WMDKitty, I think his parents want to lose him forever.

By: WMDKitty

WMDKitty — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:49:14 +0000

I’m totally Team Derrick.

His “parents” need to grow the hell up, pull their heads out of their asses, and realize that, if they continue to push him away, they WILL lose him. Forever. Through their own asshattery. I hope Derrick picks their nursing home. ^_^

By: gordo

gordo — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:41:19 +0000

Derrick is the kind of Hero HRC should be celebrating. If they honor him at their next fundraiser I’ll pay the fee, get out my tux, and go.

By: CB

CB — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:41:15 +0000

Bleckley County School Superintendant Charlotte Pipkin:

“This statement is not an endorsement of any particular practice or lifestyle, but rather recognition of the legal environment in which the public schools operate today.”

You have to love the statement by the superintendant and how she worded it, explaining why she permitted Derrick and his boyfriend to the prom; not supportive, but slyly drafted to deflect and distance herself from any criticism. Gay in rural Georgia, scary!

Just too bad his parents can’t be supportive of him! :(

By: Lucrece

Lucrece — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:57:50 +0000

The school had refused him at first– the town wasn’t “ready”– only to backtrack three month later after seeing nothing in their code supported them, and being aware that they could be sued just like that Mississippi girl was doing.

Also, Towleroad has a local news report. The school said their decision “does not endorse any lifestyles or practices, just merely reflects how the school system works today”.

Adding to that homophobic jewel, a web poll was shown at the end. Only 35% of the people voted Yes for the question of whether same-sex couples should be allowed to prom, while 65% voted No.

He received support from FACEBOOK and people from other states. I’m pretty sure locally, he’ll be crucified. My heart aches for him, because all the nice words of a social networking site and gestures from a stranger will not remove the fact that he’ll be a pariah in his town and have no home.

By: John

John — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:07:17 +0000

I can’t imagine that his parents didn’t know he was gay before this happened. The article linked to says that his parents kicked him out due to “media attention”, which I have no reason to disbelieve, and I don’t think is completely unreasonable as long as it isn’t permanent and they made sure he had a place to stay before kicking him out.

I’m not saying that his parents did the right thing, I’m just saying we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the boy’s parents…

By: Jim Burroway

Jim Burroway — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:44:27 +0000

Burr,

Sorry. The second link is fixed now.

By: Eddie89

Eddie89 — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:04:46 +0000

Congratulations to Derrick!

I hope Derrick and his boyfriend have an excellent time at the prom and that all goes well!

As for his parents, they should be ashamed of themselves.

The article mentioned that Derrick is an honor student who tutors at-risk elementary and middle school students after school. WOW! How awesome is that!

If Derrick was my son, I would be 100% PROUD of him!

Some parents just suck!

I’m sorry that Derrick has such idiots as parents.

Even more props to him that he’s such an awesome young man!