School Cancels Prom Over Lesbian Attendance

A high school in Fulton, Miss., decided Wednesday to cancel the prom next month rather than allow a lesbian student to attend with her girlfriend.

According to The Clarion-Ledger, 18-year-old senior Constance McMillen views the action of Itawamba Agricultural High School as retaliation. She has been working with the American Civil Liberties Union to press her case after school officials told her last month that she could not attend the April 2 dance with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo.

"McMillen and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi gave the district until Wednesday to drop its objections to same-sex dates," reported The Clarion-Ledger. "The school board responded with a statement canceling the prom and suggesting a private group host an independent prom instead."

The ACLU contends the ban on same-sex dates is a violation of McMillen's constitutional rights. The Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal group, has offered its services free to the school district.

"[Liberty Counsel attorney Stephen] Crampton said attempts to override policies such as the one in Fulton are part of an agenda to force legal recognition of same-sex couples," reported The Clarion-Ledger. "Crampton noted Mississippi is one of a number of states still with antisodomy laws."