Researchers report that people who live in states without any recognition for same-sex couples are 248.2% more likely to experience general anxiety than gays who live in states with marriage recognition.

Full story at Advocate.com.

“Prom is one of those high school moments everyone should get to experience and enjoy. I didn’t go to prom last year, so this is my only chance to go,” said McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at the school in Fulton, a small town of about 3,900 in the northeastern corner of Mississippi. “We just want to be able to be ourselves at our own prom.”

McMillen said she approached school officials shortly before a memo about prom was circulated at school on February 5 that said same-sex dates would not be allowed, because she knew same-sex dates had been banned from prom in the past. McMillen met with the assistant principal and later the superintendent, who told her that they would not be allowed to arrive together, that she would not be allowed to wear a tuxedo to prom, and that she and her girlfriend might be thrown out if their presence made any other students “uncomfortable” at the April 2 event.

“Prom is supposed to be about all students being able to express themselves, have fun, and make memories that will last the rest of their lives,” said Kristy Bennett, Legal Director of the ACLU of Mississippi. “Constance has a constitutional right to take the person she’s dating to the prom, just like any other student at any other public school.”

In today’s letter to Itawamba County School District officials, the ACLU cited federal court cases guaranteeing students’ First Amendment right to bring same-sex dates to school dances, and also pointed out that treating McMillen and other lesbian, gay, and bisexual students differently from other students violates the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees. In addition to illegally barring McMillen and her girlfriend from attending the prom together, the ACLU said that the school further violated McMillen’s free expression rights by telling her that she can’t wear a tuxedo to the prom.

“We hope that informing the school about its legal obligations towards its students will make it think twice about treating Constance and her girlfriend any differently than it does any other student couple who wants to go to the prom,” said Christine P. Sun, Senior Counsel with the ACLU national Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, who represents McMillen along with the ACLU of Mississippi. “Schools that discriminate against lesbian, gay, and bisexual students who want to bring same-sex dates to school dances need to know that by doing so they’re violating established federal law, and we will call them on it.”

The ACLU and the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition have given the school district until March 10, 2010 to respond to their letter.

Additional information, including a copy of the school’s prom memo and the ACLU’s demand letter, is available at http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/fulton-ms-prom-discrimination.

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition was formed in the fall of 2008 to address discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, or students perceived to be LGBT, in Mississippi public schools and colleges. The MSSC works closely with the ACLU of Mississippi to educate teachers, students, and administrators about the rights of LGBT students with the aim of making schools safer for all. The MSSC is youth-led, and any questions about student rights at prom, starting a gay-straight alliance club, or any other safe schools issues can be directed to Ashley Jackson, facilitator, at ashley@mssafeschools.org.

If you want to express your support for this young woman, there are several ways to do it. The Itawamba County School District can be reached by telephone, e-mail and regular mail.

Superintendent:
Teresa McNeece
605 S. Cummings St.
Fulton, MS 38843
(662)862-2159
tmcneece@itawamba.k12.ms.us

School Board Members:

• First District – Eddie Hood (a082315@allstate.com)
• Second District – Jackie Nichols (jnichols@itawamba.k12.ms.us)
• Third District – Harold Martin (hmartin@itawamba.k12.ms.us)
• Fourth District – Clara Brown (cbrown@network-one.com)
• Fifth District – Tony Wallace (twallace@nexband.com)

The addresses above are the last known addresses and are listed on the Itawamba County School site. There are reports that some of the board member addresses are bouncing.

You might note that the published “Notice of Non-discrimination Policy” on the school district’s website is:

The Itawamba County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability in the provision of educational programs and services or employment opportunities and benefits.

The following address and number have been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding the non-discrimination policies of the Itawamba County School District.

• Itawamba County Superintendent’s Office, 605 S. Cummings St. Fulton, MS 38843 | (662)862-2159

Enjoy live, queer music, food, drinks, friends and the warming spring weather at Que Sera Sera in Jackson on March 9, 2010. Midtown Dickens played in the park at OUToberfest and was well-received. Expect folk with a dash of punk and rock thrown into the mix. Bring tip money since they’re playing for tips only!

• Tuesday, March 9, 2010
• Que Sera, Jackson, MS

Midtown Dickens are a learn-while-you-play gaggle of best friends. They play an unrefined brand of punk-folk that draws from old-time bluegrass and the anti-folk minimalism of the Pacific Northwest.  Their heart-felt set includes banjos, accordions, horns, and a musical saw among other instruments and odds and ends. In 2006 they released Oh Yell! (307 Knox Records), which garnered wide praise and a cult following for its spirited and charming odes to the wonders of everyday life.  They’re currently touring across country with their new record, Lanterns, which was produced by Scott Solter (The Mountain Goats, Pattern is Movement, John Vanderslice).

http://www.myspace.com/midtowndickens
http://www.midtowndickens.com/press.htm
http://www.sonicbids.com/midtowndickens2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImdhPEOBcP0

This post was submitted by Jenni Smith.

We have Sarah Young of Mississippi ACLU/ MS Safe Schools Coalition.

Sarah will present a “Prom Workshop”. The workshop will provide information for parents, friends, family, LGBT individuals and students rights regarding same-sex dates and opposite gender attire (girl’s wearing a tux or boys wearing a prom dress) to the prom.

Please have anyone who is interested in attending or helping pass the word along about the workshop contact me via email hintonamy@yahoo.com or phone 215-203-2366. We need help spreading the word to the community about this event. It will be helpful to have as many supportive a parents, friends and family at this workshop for our LGBT students.

This is for high school students: Jones County Schools, Laurel City Schools and surrounding areas.

This post was submitted by amy.hinton.

Address: 1764 Lelia Drive, Jackson, MS

Phone Number: 601-981-4450

Website: http://judybarnettpa.com/

This post was submitted by M. Judith Barnett.

• Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
• Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
• Location: Cups Fondren
• Street: 2757 Old Canton Road
• City/Town: Jackson, MS 
• Website: pflagms.org

This post was submitted by Unity Mississippi.

Unity Mississippi strongly condemns Restoration Grace and encourages Morrison Heights Baptist Church to review the countless studies that demonstrate how dangerous ex-gay “therapy” is for individuals, families, and communities.

The APA has declared that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments. Further, the APA has stated that research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.

It is time for Morrison Heights to educate itself on the science of sexuality and stop selling snake-oil to its congregation and the community at large.

• What: Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
• Where: Applebee’s, County Line Rd, Jackson, MS
• When: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 7:10am – 9:30am

Come one, come all, come HUNGRY!!! Tickets are only $5 each.

Please spread the word!

Thank you for your support!

Jenni Smith
President, Mississippi NOW

This post was submitted by Jenni Smith.

We, the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in, and hope to realize this vision.

Address: PO Box 4768, Jackson, MS 39296

Phone Number: 601-376-9560

Website: http://www.pflagms.org

This post was submitted by PFLAG - Jackson, MS.