15-year-old Gabi Finlayson couldn't wait to wear her new dress to the upcoming high school dance. She even went so far as to have the dress altered so it would not be deemed inappropriate by the school's strict standards.
The pink lace garment met the female dress code. The straps were at least two inches wide, and her cleavage was covered up.
But the moment Gabi and her date walked through the doors of the event at Lone Peak High School in Utah, she was immediately embarrassed by a school representative.
Gabi was humiliated when she was told to "cover up" and return to her car. For the rest of the evening, Gabi had to wear a bulky winter coat over her dress.
The disappointed student spoke out, with the support of her enraged mother, claiming the school sent a bad message to male and female students.
Scroll down to see the dress in question, and let us know what you think…
15-year-old Gabi Finlayson was thrilled when she found the perfect dress for her upcoming high school dance.
She bought the dress on a family vacation in Paris, so it held a particularly special meaning.
Gabi has always admired Audrey Hepburn. She felt her new pale-pink lace dress emulated the actress' graceful and iconic style.
Gabi took extra steps to ensure the dress wasn't at all inappropriate for a high school dance.
She had the dress altered, going so far as to take the underlaying bodice up higher so that it was covering as much skin as possible.
Gabi attended Lone Peak High School in Utah. The school's female dress code for dances is stated on their website:
"Formals, backless dresses and/or tops may not extend beyond the bottom of the shoulder blades. Girls' dresses and tops must have a 2" minimum strap on each shoulder. Shawls, boleros and other shrugs are acceptable if worn over the dress at all times. Cleavage covered."
The straps on Gabi's dress were at least two inches wide.
It was a "girl's choice dance" that night, which meant Gabi was able to pick the boy she wanted to go with.
The stage was set for an unforgettable evening.
But the second Gabi entered the dance, a school representative hurried over to her and asked her to "cover up."
Gabi was shocked and humiliated. The representative ordered her to go back to her car and grab her jacket, as her shoulders were too exposed.
For the rest of the evening, Gabi's dress was completely covered up by a bulky winter coat.
Gabi's mother, Kristy, was also outraged. She says it is ridiculous for the school to suggest that shoulders are in any way pornographic.
"The message that it sends to girls is really troubling and damaging, and they've already got so many damaging messages being sent to them," she told KUTV.
Gabi notes a lot of other dresses that were tighter, shorter and more revealing than hers — yet those girls were not reprimanded for their outfits.
"Somehow my shoulders are sexualized. Like it's my responsibility to make sure the boys' thoughts are not unclean," Gabi told KUTV. "Maybe instead of teaching girls that they should cover themselves up, we should be teaching boys that we're not sex objects that they can look at."
What do you think about this school's actions? Did Gabi deserve to be embarrassed like this? Let us know your thoughts, and please SHARE this with your friends on Facebook.
