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Local Hate, National Love for Gay Teen in Prom Flap

Dance fight made Constance McMillan famous, and an outcast

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2010 2:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – Constance McMillen became a national hero after her school canceled the prom rather than allow her to take her girlfriend as her date, and she sued the school district. Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres have offered to fund the prom, she’s been given a $30,000 college scholarship, and the Facebook group “Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to Prom!” has 100 times as many members as her Mississippi town has residents. But in the town, life isn’t exactly easy for her.

McMillen returned to school this week after spring break and says she's realizing who her "true friends" are. She’s had to visit her doctor for help with anxiety that’s made it hard for her to sleep or eat. “I’ve been very nervous about all of this,” she tells CNN. “I don’t like being somewhere where everyone hates me.” Still, she says the outside support helps her. “It means a lot,” she says. It “helps me to continue with the fight.”

Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, looks around the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss., Monday, March 22, 2010.
Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, looks around the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss., Monday, March 22, 2010.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Constance McMillen, a senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, walks to the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss., March 22, 2010, for a hearing.
Constance McMillen, a senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, walks to the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss., March 22, 2010, for a hearing.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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My grandmother doesn't believe in it, but still stands behind me no matter what. She's a conservative Christian but respects that it's my life. She doesn't think discrimination of any
kind is right. - Constance McMillan

I thought for a long time I was the only gay person in the state of Mississippi.
- Izzy Pellegrine, 19-year-old gay student rights activist in Mississippi

Usually Mississippi is 10 or 20 years behind. For Mississippi to be spearheading the LGBT student movement is unheard of. I, personally, and my co-workers are so proud to have it happen in our state. - Izzy Pellegrine

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
TessTalks
Mar 28, 2010 5:37 PM CDT
Constance, honey, get the hell out of there as fast as you can, and don't look back.
atasnailspace
Mar 28, 2010 8:40 AM CDT
In a country where freedom of speech is supposedly allowed there are a lot of people out there that would like to take that freedom away. I am amazed at how nasty people can be when someone doesn't agree with how they believe or think. You have to believe the way they believe or you are a bigot or intolerant. Really? Come on now people its not just the gay people who are discriminated against its anyone who is different aka, different skin color, thinning hair or bald, fat, crippled, male or female, ugly and many more I can't think of at the moment. I am so very tired of being told what I have to believe because it might offend someone else. All I can say is get over it! I have many friends who don't believe the same way I do and yet...we are still friends.
Naked_Emperor
Mar 27, 2010 4:55 PM CDT
What did she expect? They canceled the prom because of her. I am not making a judgment call on the merits of homosexuality, just the selfishness of this girl. Why force the cancellation of the prom, why not just picket it? Or get all of your friends to boycott it?

It she willing to reimburse the students and parents that are out of money from buying prom dresses, renting limos' etc?
 

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