UPDATE: Mississippi Safe Schools Commission Reports Dozens of Offers to Host LGBT Inclusive Prom
The Mississippi Safe Schools Commission told USA Today on Monday that the group has received dozens of offers from across the nation to host an LGBT inclusive prom for the students at Itawamba Agricultural High School.
The offers come in response to that school’s decision to cancel prom after lesbian student Constance McMillen petitioned to bring her girlfriend to the event.
USA Today reports that “Matthew Sheffield of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition said his office was flooded by people looking to help.”
“We have so many people willing to donate money, resources, time,” Sheffield said. “We are trying to figure out what we are going to do.”
One such offer came from Sean Cummings, a hotel owner in New Orleans, who offered to supply transportation for all interested students, a venue and entertainment for the evening.
Openly lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes extended an offer of her own during Saturday’s episode of The Wanda Sykes Show on Fox.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM0e03w4PhQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
SYKES: Constance, do you have any plans on April 17th?
CONSTANCE MCMILLEN: Uh, I don’t.
SYKES: You don’t? Well on April 17th, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, they’re presenting me with the Stephen F. Kolzak award. It’s given to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for, you know, standing up and trying to fight homophobia. And GLAAD, they allow the recipient to choose the person who they want to present them with the award and Constance, I would be honored if you could come out to LA, bring your girlfriend and present the award to me.
MCMILLEN: Wow. Thank you.
SYKES: So what do you say?
MCMILLEN: I would be happy to do it.
(For more information about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, click here)
GLAAD will continue to follow developments in this story. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
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Filed Under Local/Regional News
Tagged: Constance McMillen, High School, prom
3 Comments to “UPDATE: Mississippi Safe Schools Commission Reports Dozens of Offers to Host LGBT Inclusive Prom”
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[...] Click here to view the embedded video. SYKES: Constance, do you have any plans on April 17th? CONSTANCE MCMILLEN: Uh, I don’t. SYKES: You don’t? Well on April 17th, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, they’re presenting me with the Stephen F. Kolzak award. It’s given to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for, you know, standing up and trying to fight homophobia. And GLAAD, they allow the recipient to choose the person who they want to present them with the award and Constance, I would be honored if you could come out to LA, bring your girlfriend and present the award to me. MCMILLEN: Wow. Thank you. SYKES: So what do you say? MCMILLEN: I would be happy to do it. [...]
[...] Comedian Wanda Sykes also featured McMillen on her program earlier this month and asked McMillen to … McMillen said she “would be happy to do it.” [...]
[...] In March, Wanda Sykes asked McMillen to present her the award on Fox’s The Wanda Sykes Show: SYKES: Constance, do you have any plans on April 17th? CONSTANCE MCMILLEN: Uh, I don’t. SYKES: You don’t? Well on April 17th, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, they’re presenting me with the Stephen F. Kolzak award. It’s given to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for, you know, standing up and trying to fight homophobia. And GLAAD, they allow the recipient to choose the person who they want to present them with the award and Constance, I would be honored if you could come out to LA, bring your girlfriend and present the award to me. MCMILLEN: Wow. Thank you. SYKES: So what do you say? MCMILLEN: I would be happy to do it. [...]