LGBTQ Students Can Attend Buffalo School Prom; Principal Suspended

BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo Public Schools officials say LGBTQ students will be allowed to attend the McKinley High School prom next week with "their guest of choice," and school Principal Crystal Boling-Barton has been placed on administrative leave, according to The Buffalo News. The move comes after a lawsuit was filed Wednesday by McKinley junior Byshop Elliott – with the help of the New York Civil Liberties Union – that said students were warned not to attend the prom with same-sex dates.

The lawsuit also says tickets for the dance were reserved only for opposite-sex couples and the principal has been known to to separate same-sex couples dancing together. (To receive the latest Buffalo news alerts and breaking news please subscribe here.)

In the federal lawsuit, the 18-year-old junior says students buying “couples” tickets for dances are asked for the names of their dates, and those naming same-sex partners aren’t permitted to purchase the “couples” passes, according to The Daily Beast.

On Friday, Buffalo schools' officials released a statement, saying all students can attend the prom with anyone they want. The statement was signed by Superintendent Kriner Cash and Board President Barbara Seals-Nevergold:

"The District has taken active measures to address the grievances contained in the NYCLU complaint regarding McKinley High School. The District always has and will continue to uphold the democratic principles of active citizenship, personal integrity, civility, and respect for others. Within that greater framework, the District has policy in place to ensure that students of the LGBTQ community are included and accepted in school activities throughout the District.

"McKinley High School senior students were informed today, through acting school administrators and the superintendent’s student support staff, that they may attend next week’s prom with their guest of choice, under the age of 21, with NYS identification. In addition, the superintendent has directed staff to assist students in the formation of a Gay Straight Alliance within the school as soon as possible."

Boling-Barton has been placed on administrative leave — a Buffalo schools spokeswoman confirmed to The Buffalo News — which is standard protocol when someone is under investigation.

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