Prom Date Battle Draws Support From One Of Canada's Most Powerful Union Bosses
by Jan Prout
365Gay.com Newscenter in Toronto

(March 25, Toronto)  Marc Hall's battle bring his boyfriend to his high school prom resulted in police action Monday night.

The 17 year old  grade 12 student, at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School, in Oshawa, east of Toronto, was told by his principal he was not permitted to take his boyfriend to the prom.

The teenager was told he either had to go solo or not at all.

Monday night Hall and and his parents, Audy and Emily went to the regular meeting of the Durham Catholic District School Board in a bid to convince them to reconsider. 

The were joined by about 100 supporters, including Mike Shields, the president of the biggest union local in Canada,  Local 222 of the Canadian Auto Workers.

When board chair Mary Ann Martin said the matter was not on the agenda for the meeting, and the board would not hear Hall, Shields was outraged.

"This young man has a right to speak," Shields shouted as he made his way to the front of the room. "Your board created this situation and you are obliged to hear him speak."

Martin then told Shields he was disrupting the meeting and asked him to be quiet or she would call an adjournment. 

Shields persisted, calling  the board's action a black eye on both Oshawa and the Catholic church.

"This is not a matter of religion, just a guy wanting to have fun at a school dance," Shields declared.

Martin adjourned the meeting, and Shields went into the hall with the teen and his supporters

When security guards told them to leave the property, Shields continued speaking to the supporters.  Police were called, and Shields finally agreed to leave the board property with the officers.

Oshawa is the Canadian home of General Motors and the union is a strong supporter of gay rights.  The Autoworkers have non discrimination clauses in union contracts.  

Shields said the union and his local have written letters to the board condemning the decision to prevent Hall from bringing his boyfriend to the prom.

The teen said he was overwhelmed by the support he is getting.   

His father said" later, We believe he is a victim of discrimination. We just want our son to be able to live his life as a normal person." 

Marc Halls Website: http://geocities.com/rights_and_freedoms/

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