Teen suspended after complaining about ban on male homecoming dates

Last week we reported on the story of Tennessee high school student Lance Sanderson, who launched a campaign after his Catholic school banned him from bringing a boy as his date to its homecoming dance.

Lance’s petition was signed almost 25,000 times and received some high profile support in the form of How to get Away with Murder creator Shonda Rimes, but now Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) has reportedly suspended him from classes because it did not “appreciate the unwanted publicity” he generated, which led to the school receiving criticism and abuse.

“I am disappointed that I am unable to sit in class today,” Sanderson told NewNowNext. “While many assignments can be reached online, I was going to take two tests today and an in class timed essay. Tomorrow at CBHS, I was going to meet with admissions representatives from around the country (they do not visit often). I hope to be welcomed back into a classroom setting soon.”

https://twitter.com/TheLanceLuther/status/648542660672684032

Lance claims he did not break the school’s policy by bringing a boy to homecoming – instead opting to boycott last week’s event altogether. He has since shared a letter he wrote to the school to complain about his exclusion from classes, but says he is yet to receive a response.

Dear CBHS Administration,

Today I arrived at school around 6:30am. I sat down to complete my assignments for the classes I planned on attending today. At 7:30am, I was speaking to a teacher when an administrator walked into the room and told me to gather my books and come to the office.

When I arrived at the office I was told that the administration “had 890 other students to worry about” and could not deal with me. I was told to go home for the week. I said goodbye to a few teachers and students, then drove home.

I am hurt by this exclusion. It goes against the Lasallian value of brotherhood that the school is supposed to stand for. You won’t let me dance with my date and you won’t let me go to class now either. I had hoped that today would be one for positive conversation going forward. Instead, I was sent home.

I haven’t done anything wrong and haven’t hurt anybody. I want to be welcomed back to the school building today and I want this mean-spirited semi-suspension ended, so that I can do my classwork like anybody else.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote from a Birmingham jail cell: “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.

Sincerely,
Lance Sanderson

CBHS is yet to respond to calls for comment.

In This Article: