CBS' Erica Hill interviewed Constance McMillen this morning on the "Early Show". McMillen is the 18-year-old Mississippi lesbian who wanted to take her girlfriend to her senior prom and was forced to sue her rural school district after it canceled the dance.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP ...
The teen says she discussed this with the principal in December who told her they didn't "wouldn;t be allowed because they just don't allow that". She also says her classmates are harassing her and classmates have told her, "You have ruined my senior year."
The Mississippi ACLU has filed a lawsuit against t he Itawamba County School District. The federal suit asks the court to reinstate the prom for all students and charges school district officials with violating McMillen’s First Amendment right to freedom of expression. McMillen says of the messaging presented by the prom cancellation: 'They're saying you can't be openly gay, you have to hide it while you're in school."
In related news: A Louisiana hotelier has offered to host a prom for all the students and bus them to one of his New Orleans properties. And there are almost 110,000 fans of the Facebook group "Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to the Prom".
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Across the country, gay, lesbian and transgender students face discrimination every day at their schools. Tell your representative in Congress to support Rep. Jared Polis' Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4530), so Constance McMillen and every student can have equal access to public education.
Watch the video, AFTER THE JUMP...
i wish her the very best, this young lady has more strength and courage than many people much older than her
bless you and good luck constance!
Posted by: FQ | 12 March 2010 at 23:56
Kudos to her. I can't imagine being out in highschool in Mississippi, much less fighting such a public battle. It says something good about the world.
Posted by: Alex | 13 March 2010 at 15:09
It's so sad that we live in a world where such discrimination exists against our young people. Shame on the school board for their hateful bigotry.
Posted by: J. Robyn | 20 March 2010 at 12:37