Lesbian Teen Forced to Wear a Dress to Prom in Catoosa, GA

Many high school students are preparing for prom around the country, or have recently celebrated prom, such as students from Ringgold High in Catoosa County, Georgia.

One such student is Nikki Heiskil, a student who planned to attend the prom as part of a same-sex couple with girlfriend Ashley Beaty. Initially the couple were asked not to attend their school’s prom, by Principal Sharon Vaughn and told to return their tickets because it was not a “girl-girl” prom.

Vaughn told Ashley Beaty the prom was advertised as “boy-girl”, and she encouraged Beaty to still attend the prom claiming that she does not discourage homosexuals from attending prom, as long as they do not enter the prom as a couple because this can trigger “unwanted media attention”.

She added that prom attendees should dress “gender-appropriate” and that the Ringgold High prom is in fact a “boy-girl event at Ringgold High School.”

After the story was reported by Beaty and Heiskill to the local media, Principal Sharon Vaugh reversed her decision and decided to let the girls attend the prom. Vaughn told the local media that the couple’s sexual preference had nothing to do with her decision to ask the girls to return their tickets, and said Heiskell was prohibited from the prom because she quit school earlier this year and was in poor standing when she quit.
However, when Principal Sharon Vaughn did make contact with the teen lesbian couple to notify them of her reversed decision, the principal assured that Heiskell was not initially banned from the prom because of her sexual preference and that she did not want to ruin Beaty’s prom night; but that Heiskell would have to wear a dress.

The school’s dress code doesn’t mention their policy on prom attire.

The school held their prom on Saturday, though the young couple has not been reached for comment. We were also unable to obtain a picture of the couple, or the dress in question. If you would like to ask Principal Vaughn why she chose to enforce a non-existent dress code policy after reversing her decision to bar the same-sex couple from prom, the school’s phone number where she can be reached for comment is (706) 935-2254.