Mississippi School Cancels Prom After Lesbian’s Date Request

A county school board in Mississippi announced yesterday that it was canceling its upcoming prom after a lesbian student, Constance McMillen, asked to bring a same-sex date to the event.

McMillen, 18, worked with the Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to challenge the school policy that prohibits students from bringing same-sex dates. McMillen wanted to bring her girlfriend to the April 2 prom and, in an additional policy-breaker, wanted to wear a tuxedo to the dance.

“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. The school board then encouraged the community to organize a private prom, sending the message that they would rather not have a prom than let gay people enjoy it equally.