But, the demonstration drew the attention of the district school board. With the approval of the girls' parents, the picture will go into the yearbook, and the protestors won the praise of the superintendent.
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Crete, Illinois) Students at a small high school in a little town south of Chicago have given their elders a lesson in diversity.
The saga began when two teenage girls were voted "cutest couple" by their fellow seniors at Crete-Monee High School. The sweethearts have been together throughout high school. The honor, bestowed annually on a loving couple at the school by the senior class, was blocked by the school administration.
60 students walked out in protest last month outside the school, when administrators indicated they would withhold the girls' photo from the yearbook.
Several students were suspended for two days for taking part in the protest.
But, the demonstration drew the attention of the district school board. With the approval of the girls' parents, the picture will go into the yearbook, and the protestors won the praise of the superintendent.
"I am proud to say that while other schools continue to address issues such as alienation, bullying and hate crimes, we have a student body that not only accepts each others' differences, but also celebrates them," said Roberta Berry in a letter praising the students at Crete-Monee High.
The girls say they were surprised when they were nominated for the "cutest couple" honor. But, their classmates say it was "a no brainer'.
"I think people voted for them because they're so open about their relationship -- and how good it is," says Danielle Cheatom, a 17-year-old senior. "They're actually in love and care about each other."
Adds Nick Renfroe, another 17-year-old senior: "They really are the cutest couple."
"This isn't 1952 anymore. I think people need to realize there are different people everywhere," says Rachel Urban, a 17-year-old Crete-Monee senior.
Crete-Monee High School may be unique. Just last week the National Mental Health Association issued a report saying bullying and other harassment towards gay teens and teens who are perceived to be gay is widespread in America's schools.
A 2002 report by the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network says that only nine states and the District of Columbia have some form of protection for students, based on sexual orientation and gender identity -- California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.