By now, most of us have heard about Constance McMillen. If you haven’t, let’s fill you in. Constance McMillen is a High School senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School (ICAHS) in Mississippi. In addition to being a High School senior, Constance is an out lesbian, who sought to bring a female as her date to prom. Instead of accepting Constance as who she is, the school decided to bar Constance from bringing her female date to the prom. Being a naturally independent and brave person, Constance sought out the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), believing her civil rights were being infringed. With the involvement of the ACLU, ICAHS has decided to completely cancel the school prom, rather than allowing Constance to attend in tuxedo, with a female date.

In a preliminary hearing, the judge decided that Constance would be allowed to bring her female date, but ultimately decided not to require the High School to reinstate its official prom. Throughout the hearing, it was understood that a parent-run and established alternative prom would be planned, in which Constance would be proudly invited. With this parent planned prom being organized, the judge decided not to require ICAHS to reinstate it official prom. Idealistically, this is where the story of Constance would come to a happy ending; however this not where the story ends.

An alternative prom was planned but this was not the only prom that was being planned. Two proms for ICHS students were being organized by parents. One as a fake prom that Constance would be invited too, keeping her from attending the real prom with her peers. Constance later relived her story to The Advocate, "They had two proms and I was only invited to one of them.” The prom that Constance went to had seven attendees; Constance, her date and several handicapped students that were equally fooled into attending the fake prom.

This fake prom is outrageous, homophobic, and directly discriminatory. The parents and ICAHS students decided to ignore the ruling of a federal judge to ensure that Constance would not be able to attend their prom. This fake prom raises a number of questions. How was the student body able to successfully keep the real prom a secret? What was the exact role that the ICAHS facility and administers played? How could parents think that promoting discrimination and intolerance to their children is acceptable behavior?

The ACLU has pledged to stay with Constance and her fight for justice. In the coming months, I’m confident that the specific truths and individuals who masterminded the fake prom will come to light. There are already allegations claiming that a number of school officials helped the parents plan the fake prom and keep Constance in the dark. In the meantime, you may be wondering what you can to do help Constance and ensure that this sort of discrimination will not happen again. Well, you can either write the superintendent or principal of ICAHS, expressing your concerns for what was allowed to take place at their school. Remember to keep your emails thoughtful, inspiring, and ultimately good natured.

What happened at this school directly affects all of us as the LGBTQ youth community and it is easy to become infuriated and emotional, but remember one catches more bees with honey. So state why you are upset and your concerns for the effects of such behavior, with a sense of impassioned maturity.

Teresa McNeece, Superintendent - tmcneece@itawamba.k12.ms.us

Trae Wiygul, Principal - twiygul@itawamba.k12.ms.us