ABERDEEN, Miss. — Mississippi officials who canceled a prom after a lesbian student asked to bring her girlfriend told a federal judge Monday that there were issues with the event even before that.
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing to force the Itawamba County school district to sponsor the prom and allow Constance McMil len to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo.
School Superintendent Teresa McNeece and school-board chairman Eddie Hood testified that they had discussed not sponsoring the prom 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.
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. School officials did not give specific examples.
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.
U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson, who is hearing the case, did not say when he would rule.
