Prom season is in the air and everyone is thinking about what dress to wear and how they’ll enjoy their time with their significant other. But what these teens don’t realize is that if their significant other is of the same sex, they might not be allowed into prom.

Even though some schools allow same-sex prom dates, other schools including SJHS don’t. At The Parmentier, we understand that while this is a Catholic school that shouldn’t promote same-sex dating, it still happens. We feel that as One Sacred Community, we should try to understand each other’s feelings, even if those feelings are toward a person of the same sex.

If a person of the same sex is what makes these girls happier, then why not allow them to enjoy their senior prom with the one that makes them happy? The issues that arise with same-sex prom dates are mainly that they go against our Catholic tradition which teaches us that a man and a woman were created to be together and procreate. If the couple is of the same sex, procreation isn’t possible and the Catholic tradition is being broken.

What we at SJHS don’t understand is that when we have co-ed parties, we are told to watch out and stay away from the guys, but when it comes down to prom, it seems like we are forced to take a male date. We say that we are One Sacred Community, but as One Sacred Community, shouldn’t we be respectful of each other’s preferences?

Students and faculty of St. Joseph’s recently participated in a survey in which most students and even some faculty members agreed that same-sex prom dates should be allowed. About 87 percent of the student body responded yes when asked if same-sex prom dates should be allowed. Of 16 staff and faculty members, about 63 percent also stated that same-sex prom dates should be allowed.

If so many of us would want to allow same-sex prom dates, then why not just allow it? Nobody is being hurt in the process, except maybe our Catholic teaching. But, we as a student body feel that as One Sacred Community, our feelings and happiness should really be taken into consideration. Why can’t we say yes to same-sex prom dates and allow a few more girls to smile?