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Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, speaks to one of her legal team in the federal courthouse in Aberdeen Monday for a hearing regarding the ACLU's preliminary injunction to force the prom at her high school. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing in U.S. District Court to force the Itawamba County school district to sponsor the prom and allow Constance McMillen to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo.
The hearing ended shortly before 2 p.m. U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson, who is hearing the case, did not say when he would rule, but said he wants to do it quickly because "time is of the essence."
Schools Superintendent Teresa McNeece and school board Chairman Eddie Hood testified that they had discussed not sponsoring the prom even before McMillen challenged a rule that prohibits same-sex dates. They said they had concerns about liability problems, including possible use of alcohol and drugs at a school-sponsored event.
But they also said they decided to call off the April 2 prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School because McMillen's challenge to the rules had caused disruptions.
"We were being hounded every day. Our students were being hounded," McNeece said. "We were having a tough time of any bell-to-bell instruction."
McMillen first approached school officials about bringing her girlfriend in December, and again shortly before a Feb. 5 memo about prom rules was circulated to students. Same-sex prom dates had been banned in the past, but she had hoped school officials would grant her request.
She was told two girls could not attend the prom together and she would not be allowed to wear a tuxedo. The ACLU issued a letter earlier this month demanding that she be allowed to bring her girlfriend and wear what she wanted.
District officials responded by canceling the event, saying they felt it was the best decision "after taking into consideration the education, safety and well being of our students."
ACLU attorney Kristy Bennett said in court Monday that the district violated McMillen's First Amendment rights and that it was the decision to cancel the prom — not McMillen's request to bring her girlfriend — that caused the disruptions school officials described.
"Any disruption came after the actual cancellation of the prom," Bennett said.
McMillen testified the district's decision led to hostility toward her on campus. She said she left school early the day after the district's decision and didn't go at all the next day.
"There were so many dirty looks," McMillen said. "A lot of people didn't like me very much."
The 715-student high school is located in Fulton, a town of about 4,000 in rural north Mississippi. The entire county school district has 3,588 students.
Principal Trae Wiygul said he had been "bombarded" with e-mails, most from people criticizing the district's decision.
"I've been called every name known to man," Wiygul said. "I've been called a bigot and homophobic."
More in the NEMS Daily Journal Tuesday.
So you agree with me about only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. I never ask about your denomination. Denomination means absolutely nothing to me. Heaven will not be divided into denominations and walls. A persons relationship with Christ is all that matters.
This whole thread you have agrued that I am a bad guy and my faith was somehow wrong because I believe that homosexuality is a sin and is to hated, as all sin is. No hatred has been shown to this young lady. Hopefully she will one day turn to Christ and cast off the sin of homosexuality.
You still do not see or you just refuse to. That is your choice.
I am still waiting to hear of your faith. Your relationship to Christ. The path to Heaven you believe in. You clearly think my faith is wrong. Why are you dodging the question? This is the third time I have ask? If my faith is so backwards, why are you not trying to teach me how to reach Heaven? Do you not want people to know how to reach Heaven?
P.S. Your whole "personal relationship" gimmick didn't exist for the first 1920 years of Christianity. I know you're terrified to hear that, but it is the truth.
You say "I'm displaying that there are Christians out there whose faith isn't predicated upon myth, paranoia, hatred, bigotry, or pharisaical literalism."
You are displaying nothing of Christian faith. All you have accomplished in this whole discussion is to call me names and attack my faith. I am not afraid of the things you say. I know who my Savior is. I am not uneducated because I do not believe as you. I do not live my life in fear and hatred. I have not acted on my faith in a "discriminatory, hateful, and bigoted manner ". I have said over and over that I love this young girl but hate the sin of homosexuality. I have sin in my life, that does not mean I should just accept my sin and love it. I strive to live a life that honors Christ and that includes the hatred of sin.
You say, "Christian belief is not based on reason, intellect, knowledge, rationality, or experience " and I agree with that. Christian belief is based on faith in Jesus Christ not the things you listed. Do you know anyone who has been in a cult, since you like to use the term. I know a few people who in the past was in a "cult" church. I can promise you, my faith is no cult. One of these friends still struggles with faith.
You appear to a very intelligent person who has alot of technical knowledge of many religions. I ask you, how is your faith? I asked you earlier to instead of attacking my faith, please share yours. I asked how your faith teaches you to further the Kingdom of Heaven. You chose to keep attacking. Please share how a person gets to Heaven within your faith. In the end, all that really matters is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All other knowledge will fade away.
The fact remains that the overwhelming majority of sexual molestation occurs by white males against white females.
VictoriousUnion, has a school denied you the right to attend prom because of your Fundamentalist Christians beliefs? I didn't think so. And you ask what fruits am I displaying? I'm displaying that there are Christians out there whose faith isn't predicated upon myth, paranoia, hatred, bigotry, or pharisaical literalism. I know that scares you little Fundies that there are people who will use your own words against you. It shatters your already fragile minds, for as you prove over and over again, fundamenatlist Christian belief is not based on reason, intellect, knowledge, rationality, or experience --- it is based on fear, coercion, intimidation, and groupthink. Most people would refer to that as a cult.
My faith is not a behavior. It is who I am. Homosexuality is a behavior, cheating on a spouse is a behavior, cheating on your taxes is a behavior, speeding is a behavior.
Standing for my values is not discrimination. People hide behind discrimination as a way to deflect from their behaviors.
Are you discriminating against me because we have different beliefs? I don't think so.
I was not explaining to just you how to become a Christian. That message was for all who read it.
As Pondering stated, the fruits we bear show who we are. Your comments here have been confrontational of my Christian faith and in support of the homosexual lifestyle. What fruits are you trying to display? If you believe in Jesus Christ, what benefit do you hope to secure for His kingdom by trying to downplay fellow Christians faith? Instead, why don't you explain how your faith teaches you to reach out to others to further the kingdom?
God Bless.
Welcome to the adult world. Fundies always perceive any form of criticism to be an "attack" on their "faith". Paranoia is a fundamental (excuse the word usage) aspect of all fundamentalist forms --- fundamentalist Muslims always teach that they are being persecuted. It helps to inspire zeal and, most often, deluded belief.
I haven't shown intolerance as much as I have used your own words and attitudes against you.
What part of this don't you understand? Discrimination IS hatred.
idiotsamongus, I will answer your questions for you.
#1. She won't bring much money, because she has not been a virgin for a long time now.
#2. Yea, go ahead and kill them yourself.
#3. You don't have to wear gloves if you promise to eat the football when you get done playing with it.
#4. By having sex with you.
I sincerely hope that my answers have helped you.
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Jbos......Thank you for helping me prove my point about ignorance.........
I have not attacked your faith. I have simply shared mine. You have shown intolerance to any who do not believe what you believe. I have not cast a judgement on anyone or any belief. I did not claim to have the only way to Heaven, you made that statement, not me. I do believe that Christ is the only way to Heaven, you appear to believe that to not be true. I am not saying you are wrong or that I am right. When we get Heaven, we can discuss our different paths.
Idiotsamongus you refer to the Old Testament Jewish law. I am a follower of Christ who came as the Mesiah, the fullfilment of the promise of the old law.
Both of you speak of hatred. I have not made any comments of hate towards any person. I have been meet with name calling and intolerance. I have tried to live my faith not judge yours.
A person can disapprove of anothers actions without hating that person. If I violate a law, I am accountable to the lawmakers. If I violate my faith and beliefs, I am accountable to Him.
I cannot change your way of thinking as you will not change mine. I put my faith in Christ not of people of this world.