Teen Lesbians Make a Stand at School

When the student body nominated DesiRee Shelton and Sarah Lindstrom to its Snow Day's court, it was no secret the two were a couple. The girls planned to walk into the Snow Day's pep fest together, but that plan was met with opposition from the school district.

"We were told it bucks tradition," Shelton told 12 News. "We didn't understand, because if we were a straight couple we knew we wouldn't even be having a debate."

The girls, both seniors at Champlin Park High School in Brooklyn Park, Minn., were told it's the school's tradition for a boy and girl to escort each other into the pep fest. Shelton and Lindstrom decided that wouldn't be the end of the discussion. They took their concerns one step further by speaking with an attorney who helped them file a discrimination lawsuit.

"Here are two teenagers who are willing to make a stand for gay rights," Sam Wolfe, a staff attorney with Southern Poverty Law, said. He helped the girls file their lawsuit. "They are really setting an example for other youth."

Once the lawsuit was filed, the Anoka Hennepin school district agreed to mediation to try to work out their differences. After a six-hour long talk, both sides reached an agreement to allow students to choose a meaningful person in their life to walk into the pep fest with, which meant the girls could walk in together. The agreement also says no party admits fault and the girls agreed to drop their lawsuit.

Two days after mediation, Shelton and Lindstrom walked into the school's pep fest hand in hand, along side 24 other nominees. The crowd erupted with cheers as they came in. Two guys who were not a couple walked in together too, trying to make a point that sexual orientation shouldn't matter.

"We've really been overwhelmed by the show of support from the student body," Shelton said. Many students left encouraging message on their facebooks pages. "It makes our decision easier to handle when you know others are behind you."

While the girls did get one hate letter in the mail, they say they were not bothered by it.

In the end, neither girl was crowned queen, but both believe they made a positive impact in their school.

"We've had a few people congratulate us on our decision, but really we were just standing up for what we believe in," Shelton said.

Champlin Park Principal Michael George also commented on the decision, saying, "It was in the best interest of the school and it was respectful to all students."

George agrees the school needs to grow and evolve with the times and believes Shelton and Lindstrom gave the school an opportunity to examine their traditions and make sure they are welcoming to all students.