April 12, 2008 | Sex & Society

All boys school bans same sex dance partners

Students at the all boys school Churchie - an Anglican Church Grammar School in Queensland, Australia  - cannot bring boyfriends to the June 19 senior formal.

Jonathan Hensman, Churchie headmaster, was approached by teachers who argued the boys should be permitted to attend the dance with whomever they chose. The headmaster did not agree.

"The senior dinner dance is an opportunity for our young men to escort a young woman in a formal school environment," Hensman argued. "We don't intend to change our practice. As well as being a social occasion, it's an education forum and to that end the school decides what is appropriate behavior and what is not."

He did, however, admit that were a student to approach him on the issue formally he would be willing to discuss the matter with the school council. We doubt they'd change their minds, but stranger things have happened.

Susan Booth, Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, wants the school will reconsider their decision. "What we hope is that there can be a discussion about the issue, that's what happens in the commission, and that's where we hope the matter can be sorted out."

They all study together. They play sports together. They've seen each other naked in the shower. But heaven forbid they even think about sharing a dance with one another.