A lesbian couple at a high school in Surprise, Ariz., was denied the right to be nominated for homecoming queen and queen by school administrators, who claimed that a policy prohibits same-sex couples from winning the title.

Students at Willow Canyon High School are reportedly protesting the decision, which prevents ballots including same-sex couples from being counted.

In a statement, the Dysart Unified School District said the high school has been following the same protocol for years. Via USA Today:

"The Willow Canyon High School students do not elect a couple as Homecoming Queen and King, rather individual students self -nominate or are nominated to run for Homecoming Queen or for Homecoming King," the statement said. "Students can nominate themselves or another student. One person is voted in by fellow students to represent female students at Homecoming and one male student is voted in by the students to represent the boys. Who that female and male student is, is up to the student vote."

Students at the school have said that the couple should be allowed to receive the the nomination.

Aaron Brown, a sophomore, told the Arizona Public, "This is what students want, and what [the school is] doing is basically discrimination."

[Image via USA Today]