Shine OnTeen forced to cover up cleavage at prom cites discrimination, wants apology
Brittany Minder was recently told she could not enter her high school prom at Central Kitsap High School in in Silverdale, Wash. state unless she wore a shawl to cover her exposed breasts.
Minder, who travelled to Canada for her dream prom dress, feels she was unfairly targeted by the school policy because she has large breasts.
"I'm bigger chested and there is more cleavage that you can see, and there's nothing I could really do about that," she tells local news station KOMO.
The school policy allows strapless dresses provided that cleavage, midriff and lower backs are covered. However, Minder's father, Gary, claims the policy was not enforced consistently among all the girls that night.
Also see: Transgender teen upset he can't run for prom king, only prom queen
“A girl like Brittany should not have to go to a dance in a burlap sack because she’s large-busted,” her father says. “It’s ridiculous.”
Her mother, Kim, adds, "All women are not created equal, and you can not compare a golf ball to a grapefruit. It ain't gonna happen."
Minder and her parents are requesting a formal apology from the school.
"An important night of my life was ruined, and there's no way I can gain that experience back," Minder says.
She only stayed at the prom for about an hour after covering up.
Also see: The tackiest prom dresses of 2013
"I felt self-conscious and they took the magic out of the night," she says. "It was tough being there after all that happened. I already had a blow to my self-esteem."
While Minder's prom experience may be forever marred, it appears some American high school have come along way in their inclusion and acceptance of traditionally marginalized and outcast teens.
For example, a transgender teen was recently voted prom queen at a Massachusetts high school. Cody Tubman was born a boy but transitioned into being a girl during her early high school years.
What are your thoughts on high school prom rules? Are they often too restrictive or too lax? And was Minder's school acting fairly in forcing her to cover up?
