Lesbian Teen Speaks Out on Cancelled Prom

[sabra]

Source: CBS News

Constance McMillen's School Says Her School Nixed the Event Because She Wanted to Bring Her Girlfriend, Wear Tuxedo

<snip>

McMillen said on "The Early Show" that, when she spoke with her school's principal in December about her intentions to bring her girlfriend to the prom, he told her it wasn't allowed. When she asked why, he told her it concerned the tickets for the event.

...

But McMillen said, "I explained to him that you can't pretend like there's not gay people at our school, and if you tell people they can't bring same-sex date, that is discrimination to them."

McMillen said the feeling at school is "hostile" and "silent" since it was announced the prom has been cancelled.

She said she's been told by classmates that she's ruined their senior year.

"But you'll have people that are going to be like that," she said. "It hurts, but there's nothing I can do about it, but just hope they understand that was never my intention. Now I'm fighting for prom for everybody now."

....

McMillen added that kids need to be true to themselves.

"That's how I was raised," she said. "I don't know how everybody was raised, but that's how I was raised, to always be yourself and be proud of who you are. And it's like they're asking you, like for prom, you can be gay, just don't be openly gay, just hide it for a little while."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/12/earlyshow/main6292120.shtml?tag=stack

[Tempest]

1. Hotel owner offers prom for Mississippi students

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4304192

Meanwhile, New Orleans hotel owner Sean Cummings is offering to take the students to New Orleans by bus, and host a free prom at one of his properties.

[wtmusic]

3. That rocks. nt

[Trillo]

2. She makes a good point.

How we're "trained" to not be ourselves. In some cases, that may make some sense, such as training us not to murder. In other cases, not so much.

It's sad that "the atmosphere" there has projected onto her the consequences for the decision of the school, like that's even credible. Guilt. It's what's being served.

[defendandprotect]

4. The school was cowardly about this . . . and hope that the kids will have their Prom --

a Prom without bigotry and intolerance where everyone can be with the person they

want to enjoy the evening with -- not having to pretend, but being open about who they are!!

Best wishes to all -- !!

Mississippi has to wake up!!

[truthisfreedom]

5. This Mississippi school board has done more to help gay students in the future than they

realize... they've drawn attention to something that will cause change in the future.

[Vidar]

13. Good point.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sabriel]

8. "I have been and always shall be your friend. Live long and prosper"? n/t

[Lisa0825]

11. So are you saying that she should not have stood up for herself???

Captain Spock: Don't grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh...
Kirk: ...the needs of the few.
Captain Spock: Or the one. I have been and always shall be your friend. Live long and prosper.

Are you saying she should have put the "needs" of the other students ahead of her own?

I see it the other way, that in standing up for herself, she was standing up for the many others like her who are afraid to be themselves, and the many who will go to that school after her as well.

[DirkGently]

18. Amen

If the original "Spock" reference above ("the needs of the many ...") was supposed suggest that this girl was somehow being "selfish" because her refusal to lie about her identity led to the school's cowardly decision to cancel the prom, that's pretty ridiculous.

It also feeds into what looks like an intentionally nasty tactic by the school -- to encourage other students, parents, etc., to blame this girl for the prom's cancellation. Any bets on whether she's now gettings threats, abusive phone calls, etc.? Drill a millimeter down into the message the school sent in cancelling the prom and it's pretty repellant:

"How dare you not be ashamed of who you are, when you know we're bigots who can't tolerate others?"

Spock would NOT concur.

[Subdivisions]

12. 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.' Is that the

dying words you're referring to? If so, that's just wrong in this case.

[maxrandb]

22. Let's not forget what Kirk later said

"Because the needs of the one, sometime out weigh the needs of the many"

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. Mr. Spock is fictional, but there's no way in hell any author could write him a homophobe

and remain consistent.

[liberation]

19. Well, some need to learn that giving advice based on fictional TV characters...

... is not really a proper approach to real life.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Renew Deal]

7. I don't unsterstand stories like these.

Why would the school administrators think it's worth the trouble to get into these situations? I don't know if it's driven by hatred, fear, or something else. I have a feeling it's a bit of both.

I hope most of the kids stand up for her.

[zbdent]

9. probably because they're auditioning for Faux ...

and paid appearances in the "liberal media" from the Heritage Foundation ...

[Sgent]

10. Elected school board

combined with one of the most right wing area's in the country. I worked there, and there are some great people, but don't think for a moment its not racist/homophobic/etc.

[Vidar]

15. Bigoted constituents; bigoted and/or cowardly administrators.

[liberation]

17. Bigots don't usually make decisions based on common sense or practicality...

... else they would not be bigots, would they?

Still, I am very proud of this young lady for standing up for herself. A beautiful thing, in an otherwise ugly situation.

[ehrnst]

25. Probably didn't predict that the ACLU would get involved.

And I imagine that the parents in that part of the country would probably be more upset with gays at a prom than administrators who tried to prevent that.

[Renew Deal]

26. The school knows they're wrong.

That's why they cancelled it. They couldn't keep her out.

[sybylla]

28. Actually, it's probably more like a badge of honor

that the ACLU is getting involved. Some racist-fundie-hooha's would look at the circumstances and think they are doing Gawd's work and that the ACLU should bring it on.

[Proletariatprincess]

16. I wonder what would have happened

if McClellan had just shown up at the prom with her date. Would there have been a scene? Would they have called the cops? Maybe the school would have made rules to prevent it in the future but the point would have been made and the struggle for fairness would continue from there. Perhaps the predictable hostility from her fellow students would have been minimized if the prom had been held as scheduled.
I commend Constance McClellan for her courage and congratulate her for making an important step for equality and fairness. I just wish it wasn't so painful for her. It is hard enough to be that age when everyone wants desperately to "fit in". All the more reason that her courage is so commendable.

[darkstar3]

29. She couldn't

her girlfriend was a sophomore, so Constance had to buy her ticket, which meant she had to tell the principal's office who she was bringing. It's the same rule as every prom held in the last 15-20 years.

[glowing]

20. And really, do you think any of those kids give 2 shits whether this girl brought her

girlfriend to prom... I know many "single" girls who would double for the cheaper "pair" tickets. AND how many of the "straights" won't get totally wasted that evening, dance on a table, and mack out with their girlfriends themselves because its so "girls gone wild/ springy break thing to do". Seems like the Principal is the idiot here.

[LittleGirl]

27. +1

That's what I was thinking.

[fascisthunter]

21. Pretty antagonistic of the school... intentionally making a gay student the reason

what a bunch of sick bastards bigots are.

[Iggo]

23. Grrrr...

:mad: