Gay Teen Banned From Prom Scores Support & Big Check From Ellen
LatestEighteen-year-old Constance McMillen — whose school in Mississippi canceled the prom instead of allowing her to bring her girlfriend — already has the ACLU and Roger Ebert offering words of support. Today, she was on Ellen.
Constance was told she wouldn’t be let in to the prom if she wore a tuxedo, and that her girlfriend could go to the prom, but they couldn’t walk in as “dates.”
“I’m not going to pretend that I’m not gay,” Constance explained. Ellen was clearly moved by her story, and said, “Every kid deserves to go to prom.”
When asked about the atmosphere at her school, Constance said: “The majority of people [in my school] are angry, because they feel like I’m the one that caused prom to be canceled.”
“They should be on your side,” Ellen told her.
Later, Ellen presented Constance with a giant scholarship check for $30,000, courtesy of Tonic.com, and an offer for an internship in New York City.
The ACLU has filed a federal complaint “asking the court to reinstate the prom for all students at the school and charging Itawamba County School District officials with violating Constance McMillen’s First Amendment right to freedom of expression.”
Monday, there will be a hearing in the Aberdeen federal court, with the ACLU arguing for the school district to hold the prom. Stay tuned!
Ellen DeGeneres Gives $30k To Constance McMillen, Lesbian Banned From Taking Girlfriend To Prom [NYDN]
Earlier: “I’m Fighting For Prom For Everybody Now”: Teen Calls Out School On National TV
Would-Be Lesbian Prom Date Has Friends In ACLU, Roger Ebert
Homophobia: Start ‘Em Young