Amid lawsuit, school OKs same-sex prom dates, student club

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo school district says LGBT students will be allowed to bring same-sex dates to prom and form a club at a high school that was accused of discrimination.

Superintendent Kriner Cash and Board President Barbara Seals-Nevergold announced the decision Friday, two days after the New York Civil Liberties Union helped a student file a federal lawsuit claiming unequal treatment.

Student Byshop Elliot says administrators repeatedly thwarted efforts to form a Gay Straight Alliance at McKinley High School, where he's a junior, and prevented same-sex couples from buying couples prom tickets.

The superintendent and school board say it's district policy to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students are included and accepted throughout the district.

NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman called the district's response a welcome first step.

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Copyright Associated Press. The Gayly - 5/12/2017 @ 5:00 p.m. CST