Prom Battle Taking Toll On Gay Student
by Jack Siu
365Gay.com Newscenter in Toronto

Toronto: In his first press conference, a Toronto area teen banned from going to a high school prom with his boyfriend, broke down in tears saying he felt betrayed by the school he loved.

Marc Hall said: "I felt rejected.  I felt like my school just kind of caved down on me"

The lanky 17-year old is fighting a decision by the Durham Catholic District School Board that to allow him to bring his boyfriend to next month's prom would be a violation of church teachings on homosexuality. 

"I'm not an activist.  I am not making a political statement.  I just want to go to the prom with my date," he told a packed media studio at the Ontario legislature.

The news conference was called by George Smitherman, the out member of the legislature for downtown Toronto.  Smitherman called on the board to "do the right thing."  

"The board dug itself in early in this but there is still time to make things right," Smitherman, said.

Hall was flanked by Buzz Hargrove, the president of the powerful Autoworkers union on one side, and by Marilyn Byers of PFLAG, on the other.

Several times the youth had to stop speaking, overcome with emotion and was comforted by Byers.  

Hargrove said that the autoworkers have been involved in civil rights for more than 30 years when it exposed racism by Toronto landlords and went on to require GLBT rights packages in union contracts.

"Our union came to grips with human rights and sexuality many years ago.  I think this young man has a tremendous amount of courage to say this is who I am, accept me for that."

The Durham board is the only Catholic school board in Southern Ontario to tell gay students they could not bring same-sex partners to proms.

Byers rejected the idea that Hall was attempting to challenge the church.  "This isn't about the church.  This is about one board."

Byers taught in the Catholic school system in Toronto for 30 years and is the mother of a gay son.

The school board will hear a plea from Hall at its next regular meeting, Monday. In a brief to school trustees that they reconsider their ban, he said: "In my grade 12 Religion class we discussed homosexuality at length and we were taught what Catholic teaching is on the subject.  The Church may condemn homosexual acts, but is supposed to be welcoming of homosexuals. Gay people can attend Mass and even become priests.  But, it seems that we can't go to our school prom."

The turmoil is taking a toll on the teenager.

Hall told reporters that he is "very stressed out." 

Hall, who came out a year ago, said: "I'd rather be doing my homework and getting a better grade in school but I believe what I'm fighting for opens minds for other people." 

Asked if the controversy has shaken his faith, the A student said; "No, only my faith in the Board of Education." 

His father, Audy, said he is proud of his son.  "His mother and I will stand by him for as long as it takes." 

But, the 67 year old said he is concerned about Marc's health.  "No child needs to go through this.  There are enough pressures on teenagers."