My name is Lance Sanderson, and I'm a senior at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. This Saturday is our homecoming, but I'm being told by my school that I may not be able to bring a date that I choose -- simply because he is a guy

I've been out since my freshman year of high school, and I've been a great student as well as a photographer for most of my school's events. When I first started to float the idea of bringing a same-sex date to homecoming, I was told that my school doesn't discriminate by a school official.

But when that school official left over the summer, I was met with harsh opposition by my school. One administrator told me that even though some people interpreted Pope Francis's teachings on the issue as meaning they should support same-sex couples, these people are, "not the authority to which Christian Brothers High School is accountable." And now my school is making daily announcements across the whole school, saying that students can't bring same-sex dates from other schools.

Help me send a message to Christian Brothers High School that there's no place for discrimination in school. Let them know that LGBT students like me should be allowed to bring a same-sex date.

It's been a tough four years for me at Christian Brothers High School and I've experienced a lot of homophobia. One time in class we were watching a movie, and a classmate kept referring to one of the main characters as a "fag" at least 17 times in front me. But now it's not classmates causing the issue -- it's administrators. School officials who should be looking out for students like me, not targeting us with discrimination.

I just want to bring a date of my choice to homecoming like the rest of my friends and classmates. I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm just asking for respect, and the chance to make my last homecoming a truly memorable experience.

Thank you for your support.