Overview

• The proposal for a gender-segregated prom originated with a small group of student leaders and lacked support from the majority of pupils.
• Teachers across the graduating class unanimously threatened to boycott the event upon learning of the segregation proposal.
• Berthold Urach, spokesperson for Essener Gymnasien, declared that religiously motivated gender segregation is unacceptable and non-negotiable.
• Earlier incidents at the school included boycotts of sports and swimming lessons and refusals to participate in class trips for religious reasons.
• School officials described the decision to hold a joint Abi-Ball for the class of 2025 as a positive step for integration and school unity.