FAST FACTS:
(11/16/2010 Marion, Arkansas) A graduation gift came early for a Marion High School senior.
Sarah Lloyd will be able to wear a tuxedo for her picture in the school yearbook.
The Crittenden County School Board voted Tuesday night to allow the teen to wear the formal outfit.
Their decision comes after her of Marion High School principal initially said no.
Superintendent Don Johnston says the initial decision had nothing to do with Sarah's sexual orientation and everything to do with tradition.
Men wear tuxedos in their pictures.
Women wear drapes.
"If we got away from that what would be next," questioned Crittenden County Schools Superintendent Don Johnston. "Would we have someone who was a baseball player and say I want to take my picture wearing a uniform? Or someone who says I'm a cowboy. I want to wear a cowboy outfit."
Sarah said, "I'm not trying to do anything drastic like wear a Mardi Gras outfit."
The 17-year-old senior says she was going with the options given.
Sarah says since she was in the third grade she's known she was gay and hasn't been comfortable in women's clothing.
She hopes her win helps other gay teens feel more comfortable in coming out and being themselves.
"I feel if I was wearing the drape I'd be someone that I wasn't and I'm really not down for all that. I wanted to show the school I'm not out to please them and I am who I am. They just need to accept it."
- Crittenden County School Board allows high school girl to wear tuxedo in yearbook picture
- District officials initially said no
- Sarah Lloyd says she's gay and not comfortable in women's clothes
(11/16/2010 Marion, Arkansas) A graduation gift came early for a Marion High School senior.
Sarah Lloyd will be able to wear a tuxedo for her picture in the school yearbook.
The Crittenden County School Board voted Tuesday night to allow the teen to wear the formal outfit.
Their decision comes after her of Marion High School principal initially said no.
Superintendent Don Johnston says the initial decision had nothing to do with Sarah's sexual orientation and everything to do with tradition.
Men wear tuxedos in their pictures.
Women wear drapes.
"If we got away from that what would be next," questioned Crittenden County Schools Superintendent Don Johnston. "Would we have someone who was a baseball player and say I want to take my picture wearing a uniform? Or someone who says I'm a cowboy. I want to wear a cowboy outfit."
Sarah said, "I'm not trying to do anything drastic like wear a Mardi Gras outfit."
The 17-year-old senior says she was going with the options given.
Sarah says since she was in the third grade she's known she was gay and hasn't been comfortable in women's clothing.
She hopes her win helps other gay teens feel more comfortable in coming out and being themselves.
"I feel if I was wearing the drape I'd be someone that I wasn't and I'm really not down for all that. I wanted to show the school I'm not out to please them and I am who I am. They just need to accept it."
