The eyes of the nation are once again focused on Mississippi as a civil rights struggle plays out. But times have changed and so have the issues, and the question of lesbian students attending Itawamba Agricultural High School”s prom has local students buzzing about the topic.
Talking about it is one thing. But what if it were to happen locally? Columbus High School will host its prom tonight, so a random sampling of local students were asked to lend their opinion.
“If someone wants to take their date that”s the same sex, then they should do that. That shouldn”t be against a policy,” said Jamie Matthews, 17, a junior at CHS.
Matthews admits CHS students and administrators may be slow to warm up to the prospect of a same-sex date, but feels the student body is ready for it since a visible population of homosexual students already attend the school.
Miraysha Johnson, 17, a senior at CHS, estimates nearly 50 openly homosexual students attend CHS, which has an enrollment of more than 1,200.
Making amenities
Principal Craig Shannon says the issue of a same-sex date hasn”t arisen yet, but the school”s administration would “definitely try to make sure everyone had an enjoyable prom.”
“We understand all students don”t have the same beliefs, but we do want to protect the integrity of the prom and make sure all students are comfortable,” he said.
Johnson says the issue could easily arise at CHS: “I wouldn”t be shocked, but I wouldn”t like it. I don”t really agree with the whole gay thing, but I can”t stop it because it”s a part of life. ”
She admits, though, that keeping a gay couple out of the prom isn”t going to change their lifestyles or the opinions of other students toward homosexuals.
Natalie Edwards, 17, a junior at CHS, says homosexuals are judged at the school, but it”s not a big issue. She agrees with Itawamba student Constance McMillen”s anger over being told she could not attend her prom with her girlfriend.
“I probably would have been mad if I had a girlfriend,” said Edwards.
Itawamba Agricultural High School canceled its prom after McMillen challenged the school”s no-same-sex date rule and a restriction that would”ve prevented her from wearing a tuxedo. A federal judge ruled last week that the district”s actions violated McMillen”s rights, but he didn”t reinstate the school prom.
Itawamba County school board attorney Michele Floyd said Tuesday that Constance McMillen can escort her girlfriend to a privately sponsored dance Friday at the Fulton Country Club.
A call for tolerance
Accepting the presence of homosexuality as a fact of life was echoed by several students.
Cody Smith, 16, a sophomore at Starkville High School, which holds its prom April 24, disagrees with the lifestyle as well as discrimination.
“I”m a Christian, and it says in the Bible that it”s not right to be lesbian and gay. But times have changed now and it”s their decision. If they want to go, that”s up to them. But they shouldn”t get mad at the school for taking a stand,” said Smith.
Joseph Jones, 18, a senior at SHS, says students there wouldn”t stress over a gay couple at prom.
“I don”t think they would care. I wouldn”t care,” said Jones.
A double standard?
While the majority of students polled expressed tolerance or acceptance of a lesbian couple attending prom, opinions veered concerning two gay males attending prom together.
“Yeah, I have a problem with that right there. No, I don”t have a problem with two girls going to the prom,” said Kenya Roby, 18, a senior at CHS.
“Maybe I would discriminate after that,” said Hunter Crawford, 17, an SHS junior who said he wouldn”t discriminate against lesbians.
Although staunch opposition to homosexuals was rare among students polled, some were squarely against the lifestyle and admittance to school functions with a same-sex date.
“I just feel confused because I never thought anything like (seeing openly gay students) would happen in a high school. That”s just amazing,” said Jamarco Shirley, 18, a senior at CHS. “I”m against it. That”s a bad influence on the girls that are confused about their gender. Would they rather be a male or a female? (At CHS) it”s just like an everyday thing. It ain”t surprising or nothing.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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