Itawamba, Mississippi Lesbian Fights to Take Girlfriend to Prom

[Emit]

Itawamba lesbian fights to
take girlfriend to prom

The Associated Press • March 9, 2010

High school senior Constance McMillen knows the
rule: no same-sex date at the senior prom.

But the 18-year-old lesbian student is challenging
the Itawamba County school district policy, saying
she is worried she’ll end up missing the last major
social occasion of her school years.

“The way I look at it is that if I can’t go and be who I
am, then I don’t want to go. It kind of feels like they’
re asking me to be straight for the prom,” McMillen
said.

She has enlisted the help of the American Civil
Liberties Union that says the district has refused to
let McMillen and her girlfriend arrive as a couple at
the April 2 prom. District officials also denied
McMillen’s request to wear a tuxedo.

~snip~

Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian legal
group, has offered free assistance to the school
district. The district hasn’t responded to the offer,
said Steve Crampton, an attorney with Liberty
Counsel. Crampton said his group was contacted by
some local residents.

“We have a general interest in protecting a school
district’s right to police and regulate dress code
and school events, such as proms,” Crampton said.
“In all candor, while we know nothing about the
complaining student here, we believe this is part of
a larger agenda to implement homosexual rights in
the schools.”

~snip~

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100309/NEWS/100309015/1001/Miss.-student-fights-for-same-sex-prom-date

[JI7]

1. i hope she wins, how can they call themselves "Liberty" Counsel

when they are fighting to prevent someone's rights

[Emit]

3. I hope she wins, too. As a mother of a bisexual daughter

who braved the powers that be to take her girlfriend to prom her senior year, last year, this kind of pressure that these young women in this article are facing is tremendous. It's hard enough at their age discovering themselves and their sexuality, etc., but to have to contend with these hateful rules and these adults who discriminate against them, well, I admire them for their courage.

edited for clarity

[Shell Beau]

2. It is a very small town. I haven't spent too much time there, but

I hope this can be a step forward.

[nolabear]

4. I agree. No excuses, but maybe they can grow. I know the place too.

It's miniscule.