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Victory for Constance McMillen


CONSTANCE MCMILLAN (GBGE) X390 | ADVOCATE.COM

The Mississippi school that chose to cancel prom rather than let Constance McMillen attend with her girlfriend will change its discrimination policy and pay the teen $35,000 in damages.

The Itawamba School District has agreed to update its antidiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation, a first for a school district in Mississippi. The district will also pay McMillen’s court fees and $35,000 in damages.

“I’m so glad this is all over. I won’t ever get my prom back, but it’s worth it if it changes things at my school,” McMillen said in a statement. I hope this means that in the future students at my school will be treated fairly. I know there are students and teachers who want to start a gay-straight alliance club, and they should be able to do that without being treated like I was by the school.”

McMillen became the poster child for gay teens everywhere when she started speaking out publicly about her experiences at Itawamba Agricultural High School — first having her prom canceled and then being directed to a “fake” prom while her classmates partied at another event across town.

The American Civil Liberties Union then filed suit against the Itawamba School District on McMillen’s behalf.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Liz
    Date posted: 7/21/2010 9:15:55 AM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    Unbelievable story of hate on behalf of a tax-based institution charged with educating our youth. The measures this school district went through to prevent these two young women from enjoying the freedom every other person is allowed is astonishing. Glad to see a local government pony up for their extremist behavior. The damages awarded are a joke- The State should throw in a free college education to keep her around; clearly they need people like Constance in Mississippi. I hope they concentrate their efforts in the right direction going forward. Constance, you are a hero, and certainly taught them a thing or two.

  • Name: Doofy
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 11:53:15 PM
    Hometown: Earth

    Comment:

    I'm glad for Constance and for the message her victory sends. However, is a missed prom really worth $35k?? Granted, she did face plenty of discrimination. The article doesn't specify whether the damages were for her actual losses or punitive damages to make an example of the school. Regardless, that's 35k plus who knows how many hundreds of thousands -- millions? -- of dollars in legal fees for both sides now being taken away from a Mississippi public school. I sure hope their insurance covers it all. And I hope the school administrators and board members who allowed this to happen get fired or voted out as a result of this completely avoidable fiasco.

  • Name: Eugene
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 10:05:06 PM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT WINNERS NEVER WIN!!! Hope Constance puts the money toward her college education. And thank you to the heroic ACLU!

  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 9:21:49 PM
    Hometown: Minneapolis

    Comment:

    For Liam in Portland -- your questions, and their obvious answers, simply demonstrate how extraordinary Constance and her victory are. I wish I had had even a tenth of her courage when I was her age. The GLBT community has come a long way since my high school days, and heroes like Constance will help us continue to win our rights. Congratulations to Constance for her victory and for the grace she has shown during her ordeal.

  • Name: Bob
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 5:31:35 PM
    Hometown: HB

    Comment:

    Doesn't that make the total amount of money given to her like $20,000,000?

  • Name: Liam
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 3:45:55 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    While its great that she won the lawsuit, does anyone stop to think of all the GLBT people who have been discriminated against who never experienced such a victory? How many GLBT teens have dropped out of high school to escape discrimination and violence? How many are homeless because they had no one to trust and no where to turn? One victory hardly means that homophobia, transphobia, and violent discrimination is over.

  • Name: Matt87
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 3:18:08 PM
    Hometown: Baltimore

    Comment:

    Perhaps Mississippi is realizing what a losing strategy homophobia is in light of their extensive record of past transgressions against other minorities.

  • Name: d
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 2:51:05 PM
    Hometown: raleigh

    Comment:

    Fantastic! Another young hero for a new generation!

  • Name: kahulele
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 1:18:18 PM
    Hometown: Lahaina, HI

    Comment:

    Congrats Constance for having the hert and courage to do justice. Thank God for the ACLU and Lambda Legal. The civil Unions Bill in Hawaii was vetoed by our Republican Governor. TYhis affects thousands of gay and lesbian families here in Hawaii. Please go to happier and more tolerant places for your vacations. Please consider donating some of your saved airfare to the Hawaii ACLU and Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Mahalo

  • Name: David
    Date posted: 7/20/2010 12:58:56 PM
    Hometown: Jackson, OH

    Comment:

    Congratulations Constance, I hope every organization that can will consider you for an honor for standing up to the bigots. What they did to you was disgusting. A great big cyber hug is coming your way, you have made my day!



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