You guys are amazing: the reaction to yesterday's post about the bigots of the Itawamba County School Board and their craven decision to cancel prom for Itawamba Agricultural High School, rather than let a lesbian student bring another girl as her prom date, has been overwhelming and fierce. Bless you all!
In response to the outpouring of support for Connie McMillen's civil rights, the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, working with the Mississippi ACLU (who are also providing Connie's legal representation!), has set up an online contribution page.
HOW TO GIVE: To support the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition's "Second Chance Prom Fund," and help Constance and the students of IAHS have a prom they can be proud of, click here! Funds are being handled by the Mississippi ACLU.
After you give, either specify that this is for the Prom Fund in the "Address 2" line or email Jennifer Carr directly at jcarr (at) aclu-ms (dot) org, and let her know how to direct your gift.
The outpouring of support from this community has been amazing. Offers of help have been flooding my inbox all night.
It's safe to say this story has legs: Everyone from the Washington Post to CBS to the BBC has covered the decision of the Itawamba County School Board to cancel prom for Itawamba Agricultural High School rather than let student Constance McMillen bring her girlfriend as her date (I just finished speaking with a reporter from an NPR affiliate in MS about the Kos community's support for Connie's rights).
We're really making a difference in a small town's history, and we're giving these students the guarantee of a prom they can be proud to tell their kids about.
I said it before, and I say it again now: Come Hell or high water, these kids will have an inclusive prom!
Thank you all for helping to make it happen. This community blows my mind sometimes.
-JR
HOW TO GIVE: To support the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition's "Second Chance Prom Fund," and help Constance and the students of IAHS have a prom they can be proud of, click here! Funds are being handled by the Mississippi ACLU.
After you give, either specify that this is for the Prom Fund in the "Address 2" line or email Jennifer Carr directly at jcarr (at) aclu-ms (dot) org, and let her know how to direct your gift.