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Lesbian Couple Allowed To Walk In H.S. Processional

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The two lesbian students who were nominated to royalty court at Champlin Park High School will be allowed to walk in together, according to a statement.

Mediation took place Saturday afternoon between the students, their legal council and Anoka-Hennepin School District officials after it was suggested that the traditional way of having the royalty walk in -- in male-female pairs -- would've forced two male students to walk in together.

Sarah Lindstrom and Desiree Shelton, both 18 years old, filed court papers on Friday, arguing the school's decision violated their constitutional rights to free speech.

The teens were elected to the royalty court for the Snow Days Pep Fest. They wanted to make a political statement by entering together, but the school was concerned about the reaction that might provoke.

The new plan will allow everyone nominated to walk in with "a meaningful person in their life," the statement said.

That will allow Lindstrom and Shelton the opportunity to walk together in the processional. The students said, through the press statement, they were pleased with the decision and gratified by the district's "commitment to honoring all students."

The statement indicated no further legal action would be pursued.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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