Homophobic Mississippi High School Students Ban Gay Students from Prom, Constance McMillen Not Invited

Hate Speech and Bullying Have Become the Choice of Homophobic High School Students in Tupelo, Mississippi

Ryan Christopher DeVault
Ryan Christopher DeVault, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Mar 20, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Itawamba High School is having a segregated prom where Constance McMillen is not invited. Rather, the homophobic parents of some Itawamba High School students are now hosting the prom, and encouraging their sons and daughters to continue the hate speech and bullying that has taken place at the school. Rather than simply hosting a prom for the high school where all the students were invited, these parents have decided to impress the rules that it will be an invitation only prom, and with it have started to breed their own special brand of hate. Mississippi has once again been set back by those who wish to punish people who are not like them.

The segregated prom has even led to students attending the event to take to internet message boards to lash out at others as well. On one post about the planned prom in Tupelo, a junior (no, not a senior attending a senior prom, but a junior attending it) stated "Constance and her gay-activist friends will not be attending," he said. "They can go have their own prom because we certainly do not want any of them there." He is speaking about Constance McMillen, who asked to attend the scheduled high school prom with her girlfriend, but rather than allow that to happen, the homophobic school district decided that they would instead cancel the entire event. Quite a message they are sending about acceptance down south.

Not everyone in Mississippi is homophobic, much like not everyone in Mississippi was racist when people's civil rights were being violated. Keeping that in mind, not everyone in Mississippi is to blame for what is going on at this high school, and shouldn't be blamed or lumped with the homophobic community breeding hate in this one school district. What has happened though, is that kids at this school have been taught by their parents to lash out at people that are different than themselves, and it has turned into homophobic actions of their own. Some would say that it isn't even the fault of many of these kids, but rather the parents that have taught them that hate is okay. It's sad, disgusting, and shows the reality that some people find it easier to hate others than to accept differences.

Sources:

Homophobic_School_Cancels_Prom

Prom_Hosted_by_Homophobic_Parents

Published by Ryan Christopher DeVault - Featured Contributor in Sports

Born in Seattle, Washington, I am a 31 year old college graduate working in the field of Education and Research. I am also a professional freelance writer and news content provider. I can be reached at...   View profile

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More sad news is coming out of the Itawamba County School District that shows they may need classes on acceptance of others down there.

31 Comments

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  • Amanda Roddy 3/30/2010

    Preaching free speech is hypocritical when someone complains that the Nativity scene is violating their rights and the ACLU makes them move it. Isnt that discrimintation? Too many behaviors are deemed acceptable which is the problem. Opposing sides get called all kinds of names. America needs to grow up regarding free speech and what is discrimination.

  • Amanda Roddy 3/30/2010

    Disagreeing isnt discriminating phobia or hate speech. That is what Im trying to say. Segragationis about race and gender not sexuality. It isnt civil issue but a social one. not the same as race gender which you cant control. There are athiest who hate Christians and church so no different. Im glad someone stood up for what is right. There ar issued even us liberals dont agree with. I sia littel strong to say hate speech

  • Ryan Christopher DeVault 3/30/2010

    Sorry Amanda, but discrimination, which is what is happening in Mississippi, is not the same as disagreeing with someone.

  • Amanda Roddy 3/30/2010

    Why am I not seeing opposing views written about? This site needs be less biased.

  • Amanda Roddy 3/30/2010

    To Steve and Janet Lyn Yes being tolerant also means the gay/lesbian kids accepting disagrement. Their parents need to teach them about how other arent always accepting of their choicees and stop whining. It does not imply hate. There are relgious bullies and liberal bullies like ACLU. This does not help curb the population. ow theheck do the know anythign about gay/straight? Kids should not be so concerned about relationships. They grow up too fast when organizations like ACLU and the media keep talking about adult topics.

  • Amanda Roddy 3/30/2010

    To Steve and Janet Lyn Yes being tolerant also means the gay/lesbian kids accepting disagrement. Their parents need to teach them about how other arent always accepting of their choicees and stop whining. It does not imply hate. There are relgious bullies and liberal bullies like ACLU.This does not help curb the population. Kids should not be so concerned about relationships. They grow up too fast when society keep preaching about opneness.Innocence isnt so sacred anymore.

  • Patricia Sicilia 3/24/2010

    Man, I think I live in another universe right now!

  • Jack 3/24/2010

    Why are the lesbians in the news always overweight and unattractive?
    Seems like a pattern...

  • WHOLE STORY 3/24/2010

    BIGOT? NOW WHO IS BEING JUDGEMENTAL??

  • Me 3/24/2010

    Also, what do you mean that the students don't get a first-amendment right? The right to free speech? Oh, they're expressing themselves in front of poor Constance with their bigotry, alright.

    Or are you talking about their right to exclude Constance?

    Yeah, they may have a right to do that, but that doesn't mean that it isn't wrong, and just seems petty and childish.

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