Hand-Holding Controversy At Pompano High School/ Hold Your Hand - Glee

May 17, 2011 6:17 PM
miami.cbslocal.com

POMPANO BEACH (CBS4) – Walking the hallways of many high schools across South Florida and it’s common to see high school kids holding hands whether it’s girls who are friends, or a couple who’s dating.

But at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, it’s against the rules. Two girls who are dating found out when they said the principal threatened to suspend them.

“Her and her friend was holding hands and that the principal approached them from behind and removed their hands from being touched,” said the mother of one of the teens. She does not want to be identified.

Her daughter is a junior with a 3.5 grade point average…who happens to date a girl.

“I felt like she was being discriminated against because it was two girls holding hands,” she said.

Her daughter sent an e-mail, complaining to the school board. She got a response from the area superintendent in an e-mail obtained by the South Florida Times.

The superintendent said the rule is the rule – and applies to everyone. She told CBS4’s Ted Scouten it’s still under investigation.

“What they’re saying is that it’s not applied to other students at school if it’s male/female,” said Scouten.

“I really don’t have all the information with me right now,” responded Sharon Airghi , North Area Superintendent. “My area director’s out at the school. I need an update before I can speak to you any further.”

“I think that everybody should be who they are with out being discriminated against,” said one student. “It’s not fair.”

Most students say, this is a non-issue – gay or straight students should be able to hold hands. In fact, they say they see lots of hand holding at school every day.

Others say, this is high school, not a night club.

“We’re at a learning environment,” commented Student Body President Bderaiah Baker. “We’re supposed to be learning, not holding hands with our boyfriend or girlfriend or what ever the case may be.”

CBS4 tried speaking to the school principal, he did not respond to requests for comment.