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Mississippi

ACLU backs lesbian student, sues Mississippi school district over canceled prom

Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010, Filed under: Mississippi

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Thursday against Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Miss., after the school district decided to cancel this year’s prom rather than let a lesbian student attend the dance with her girlfriend.

McMillen

At the center of the lawsuit is a memorandum from the school that was circulated to students on February 5, which stated that prom dates must be of the opposite sex.

School officials told Constance McMillen, 18, last month that she could not bring her sophomore girlfriend to the prom and also told her she could not wear a tuxedo, according to court documents.

When the ACLU got involved (PDF), pointing out the discrimination issue, the school district cited “distractions to the educational process” and canceled the prom for all students.

“All I wanted was the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly,” said the student, 18-year-old Constance McMillen, in an ACLU news release.

“This isn’t just about me and my rights anymore — now I’m fighting for the right of all the students at my school to have our prom.”

(more…)

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School district cancels prom to prevent lesbian student from bring girlfriend

Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010, Filed under: Mississippi

McMillen
(Family photo via ACLU Mississippi)

A Mississippi high school has called off the annual senior prom after a lesbian student demanded she be allowed to bring her girlfriend.

The Itawamba County school board announced Wednesday it would cancel the Itawamba County Agricultural High School prom, after the ACLU demanded the district change its policy requiring only opposite-sex prom dates.

“Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this year,” school board members said in a statement released through the district’s attorney. “It is our hope that private citizens will organize an event for the juniors and seniors.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this causes anyone,” the message concluded.

School officials told Constance McMillen, 18, last month that she could not bring her sophomore girlfriend to the prom and also told her she could not wear a tuxedo. (more…)

Tagged with: ACLU • Constance McMillen • Discrimination • Education • Fulton MS • Mississippi • Prom • Schools

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Lesbian student barred from wearing tuxedo in yearbook photo

Posted Saturday, October 17, 2009, Filed under: Around the Nation, Mississippi

Ceara Sturgis JACKSON, MS — An openly gay high school student in Mississippi is fighting with school officials for the right to wear a tuxedo in her upcoming yearbook portrait.

According to Ceara Sturgis, 17, an honor student, trumpet player and soccer goalie for Wesson Attendance Center, school officials have barred her from wearing a tuxedo in her 2009-10 yearbook photo.

Ceara said when she submitted her request, school officials balked, informing her it is “school tradition” for females to wear elaborate dresses or gowns and for males to wear the tuxedos.

Now, Sturgis is fighting back, along with her mother Veronica Rodriguez and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi.

“I feel like I’m not important, that the school is dismissing who I am as a gay student and that they don’t even care about me,” Sturgis said in a statement. “All I want is to be able to be me, and to be included in the yearbook.”

The ACLU issued a demand letter to Principal Ronald Greet to publish a picture of Sturgis in a tuxedo. The civil rights organization said its giving the school until Oct. 23 to respond before pursuing court action.

More on the story from The Associated Press.

Tagged with: Gay Rights • Jackson MS • Mississippi • Schools