By now, most people have heard about Constance McMillen. Last week, her school in Fulton, Miss., cancelled its prom [2] because Constance wanted to bring her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo. The American Civil Liberties Union has taken up Constance’s cause [3]. So have a bunch of celebrities. Today, for instance, Constance will tell her story on The Ellen DeGeneres Show [4].
That will be followed Monday by a court hearing on the April 2 prom. The ACLU has asked for a preliminary injunction to stop the school district from canceling. Right now, the school has basically handed the prom over to parent groups. They are planning a private banquet for juniors and seniors—one that could easily refuse Constance and her date.
People across the country have condemned [5] the Itawamba County School District for its stand. The main question now is how ungracefully the school district will take its near-certain defeat. Will it go all-in on the side of intolerance, lose in the courts and remain a laughingstock? Or will it back off and let two girls have a good time at their school’s biggest party?
Perhaps the school district could use a nudge in the right direction from America's teachers. If your students or Gay-Straight Alliance members want to write to the school board, send emails to the addresses listed here [6]. (By the way, you can also reach Constance here [7].) Tell them what's on your mind. Let’s make this prom memorable for all the right reasons.
Links:
[1] http://www.tolerance.org/author/sean-price
[2] http://www.tolerance.org/blog/mississippi-misstep
[3] http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/thank-you-constance-mcmillen
[4] http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/03/this_prom_story_breaks_my_heart_0311.php
[5] http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100315/OPINION02/3150333/An-Open-Letter-to-Itawamba-County-School-District
[6] http://www.itawambacountyschools.com/board_members.htm
[7] https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Constance_Prom_Letter&s_src=UNW100001ACT&s_subsrc=support_constance