After "Promposal" Request Denial, Student Fights To Change Discrimination Policy

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

KELLER (CBSDFW.COM) - All she wanted was to ask her female friend to prom with a "promposal" and was told by administrators it was "inappropriate." Now 16-year-old Casey Akers is pushing for a big change to Keller Independent School District policy.

If you're familiar with it - a "promposal" is just a very public and usually fun way for high-schoolers to ask someone to the prom. Initially that's all Akers wanted to do at Timber Creek High School, but now she has her sights set on changing the district's entire anti-discrimination policy.

The teenager was a little nervous before she stood up to demand district-wide changes at all public schools in Keller. "How can a homosexual student feel safe when we are not protected?" she asked.

Talking about what lead prompted her to address district leaders she said, "I was mad, I was confused, but mostly it just gave me a little fire."

That "fire" in Akers was lit after she attempted to do a "promposal" but was denied only after Timber Creek administrators found out it was for a girl. "They said, 'no you can't do it anymore.' And when I asked why they said it was just not appropriate."

Keller ISD has stuck to the student Code of Conduct that says "promposals, and other similar public displays, may create a disruption to the academic process."

Akers set her sights on something bigger after she noticed sexual orientation was absent from the district discrimination policy. "I was a little surprised, but then I realized something has to be different," she said.

The teenager is now asking school board members for that change in the handbook. "Why is it okay to discriminate against LGBT, but not against a certain race or gender?" she asked.

Akers mom and other students and friends have surrounded her in support. Rhonda Akers explained it like this. "I feel like some people don't understand the troubles that the LGBT community goes through until you've stepped in their shoes. Once you step in their shoes, you realize how big of a deal it is being equal to everyone else."

Keller ISD released a statement saying that the district welcomes the feedback and that any changes would be considered by the policy review committee - that group meets in a few weeks and Akers plans to be there.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)