US school bans prom over lesbian date
March 12th, 2010 by Martina.Booth
A US prom has been cancelled after a female student asked to attend the event with her girlfriend.
The event at Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi, was cancelled by the school board because of “distractions in the educational process”.
School authorities had earlier told 18-year-old student Constance McMillen that she would not be allowed to arrive at the prom with her girlfriend and turned down her request to wear a tuxedo.
They also told Ms McMillen that she and her girlfriend would be asked to leave the event “if any of the students complained about their presence” - before deciding to cancel the prom outright.
Ms McMillen told local media that cancelling the prom was an act of “retaliation”.
“A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this,” she added.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ms McMillen, saying that the school has violated the student’s First Amendment right of free expression.
“It’s shameful and cowardly of the school district to have cancelled the prom and to try to blame Constance, who is only standing up for herself,” said Christine Sun, an ACLU lawyer.
She added: “We will fight tooth and nail for the prom to be reinstated for all students.”
A Facebook group set up in support of Ms McMillen - Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to Prom! - has already attracted over 50,000 fans.
In favour of Constance and her girlfriend and all young couples who want to go to the Prom! May this case set the precedent ..if not then come over to our 2nd Ultimate Ball for LGBT people and their friends whoever they may be : )Newcastle Blackfriars Hall ( UK) Sat March 13th from &p.m.
meagain ∼ March 12th, 2010 5:05 pmI’m completley lost for words! This should not be happening - especially in one of the most powerful countries in the world!
She should not have even felt the need to ask whether it’s ok!
I am also a teacher and find it so hard to even contemplate that none of the staff objected to this ridiculous decision! Shame on you Itawamba County Agricultural High School staff!
Vivien ∼ March 14th, 2010 8:30 pmCompletely and utterly OUTRAGEOUS!!!
MsSox84 ∼ March 14th, 2010 10:42 pmWhat were the school authorities thinking (or not)? We don’t agree with your sexuality, so your going to be victimised….
Then, We don’t quite know how to control this (completely absurd) situation we’ve created, so we cancel the entire prom for everyone…
Anyone else seeing the a major hate backlash, Constance McMillan certainly did…
Keep your chin up Lil’ Lady, We’re fighting right beside’s you xxx