ESF Partners With Safe Schools Coalition Of Miss. To Promote All-Inclusive Prom After Lesbian Prom Drama
- Empowering Spirits Foundation March 15, 2010
Following a Mississippi school board’s decision to cancel prom after a lesbian teen expressed her desire to attend with her girlfriend, The Empowering Spirits Foundation (ESF), a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is teaming up with the Safe Schools Coalition of Mississippi to promote an all-inclusive prom in the Fulton, Miss. area.
This follows Itawamba County School Board’s cancelling of prom after Constance McMillen, a Fulton, Miss. senior, stated she would attend with her girlfriend.
“Constance has been victimized twice – first by being told she couldn’t attend prom with the person she cares for, and then after the school board took the drastic step to cancel prom altogether,” said A. Latham Staples, ESF President & CEO. “The school board didn’t take into account the rights of this student, but instead made a rash decision based on dogmatic principles; which in turn has left Constance in a situation where she is uncomfortable to just attend school.”
“This struggle is not about a single class in society, but society altogether – the unity of America. Diversity and individuality are qualities that enrich this country,” added Staples. “This schooling system had a wonderful opportunity to educate students about the diverse cultures in society, but failed greatly.”
Jennifer Carr, Development Director for the ACLU-Miss. stated that the support from groups across the country has been overwhelming.
“It’s important that we remedy this current situation, but also to continue our efforts to make sure this doesn’t happen again in the coming years,” said Carr.
Those wishing to contribute financially to an all-inclusive prom may do so via www.aclu-ms.org and clicking on the “Donate” icon; or call Jennifer Carr, ACLU-Miss. Development Dir., at 601-354-3408. Anyone wishing to volunteer in a different capacity may contact Bryan Jackson at bjac...@empoweringspirits.org.
