Gay Teen Suspended From Catholic School After Not Attending Dance

Lance Sanderson, the gay senior at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tenn., just can't catch a break.

After being told last year that he could bring a same-sex date to the homecoming dance at his all-boys Catholic high school this month, another administrator reversed course and told Sanderson that bringing another boy to the dance was not allowed for "logistical reasons."

Despite a Change.org petition with more than 23,000 signatures demanding that the Catholic school #LetLanceDance, and the support of alumni, who rallied for Sanderson's right to bring his same-sex date over the weekend, the Christian Brothers administration wouldn't budge. So Sanderson didn't attend his senior year homecoming dance -- with or without a date. He just stayed home.

But when he went back to school today, he was told that he was suspended for a week, reports Logo's NewNowNext. Although it appears that Sanderson was not given formal documentation of his suspension, NewNowNext reports that administrators told Sanderson the school did not "appreciate the unwanted publicity" that Sanderson's story has garnered.

"I am disappointed that I am unable to sit in class today," Sanderson told NewNowNext. "While many assignments can be reached online, I was going to take two tests today and an in-class timed essay. Tomorrow at CBHS, I was going to meet with admissions representatives from around the country (they do not visit often). I hope to be welcomed back into a classroom setting soon."

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Sanderson did send a letter to his school documenting today's events, wherein he recounts being "told that the administration 'had 890 other students to worry about' and could not deal with me."

"I haven't done anything wrong and haven't hurt anybody," Sanderson continued in his letter, which has yet to receive a response. "I want to be welcomed back to the school building today and I want this mean-spirited semi-suspension ended, so that I can do my classwork like anybody else."