Pupils are being prevented from taking same-sex partners to school balls unless they sign contracts confirming they are homosexual, a gay support group says.
The Human Rights Commission is aware of policies barring pupils who want to take same-sex ball partners. It says excluding someone on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender is potentially unlawful.
Rainbow Youth, an education service for non-heterosexual young people, is holding an alternative ball next month "where it doesn't matter who your date is or who wears a dress".
The group declined to reveal the location for fear of attacks.
Rainbow education officer Serafin Dillon knows of four Auckland colleges that do not allow same-gender ball partners unless pupils sign contracts stating their sexual orientation.
She would not name the schools but said their policies were discriminatory and breached the Bill of Rights.
"If this was in the workplace it would be discrimination and it would be unheard of. But because it's a school they think they can somehow get away with it."
Gay pupils face bar on taking partners to ball
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
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