http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_lesbian_prom_date JACKSON, Miss. – An 18-year-old Mississippi lesbian student says she got some unfriendly looks from classmates when she returned to school after officials canceled the senior prom because of her request to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo. Constance McMillen says she didn't want to go back, but her father told her she needed to face her classmates and school officials in Fulton. McMillen says one student told her, "Thanks for ruining my senior year." The Itawamba County school district announced Wednesday it wouldn't host the April 2 prom at McMillen's high school. The decision came after the American Civil Liberties Union told officials a policy banning same-sex prom dates violated students' rights. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A northern Mississippi school district will not be hosting a high school prom this spring after a lesbian student sought to attend with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo. The Itawamba County school district's board decided Wednesday to drop the prom because of what it called recent distractions but without specifically mentioning the girl's request, which was backed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The student, 18-year-old high school senior Constance McMillen, said the cancellation was retaliation for her efforts to bring her girlfriend, also a student, to the April 2 dance. "A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this, so in a way it's really retaliation," McMillen told The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson. Calls to McMillen by The Associated Press late Wednesday went unanswered. School policy requires that senior prom dates be of the opposite sex. The ACLU of Mississippi had given the district until Wednesday to change that policy, arguing that banning same-sex prom dates violated McMillen's constitutional rights. Instead, the school board met and issued a statement announcing it wouldn't host the event at Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Fulton, "due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events." The statement didn't mention McMillen or the ACLU. When asked by The Associated Press if McMillen's demand led to the cancellation, school board attorney Michele Floyd said she could only reference the statement. "It is our hope that private citizens will organize an event for the juniors and seniors," district officials said in the statement. "However, at this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of the Itawamba County School District, after taking into consideration the education, safety and well being of our students." Kristy Bennett, legal director for the ACLU of Mississippi, said the district was trying to avoid the issue. "But that doesn't take away their legal obligations to treat all the students fairly," Bennett said. "On Constance's behalf, this is unfair to her. All she's trying to do is assert her rights." Itawamba County is a rural area of about 23,000 people in north Mississippi near the Alabama state line. It's near Pontotoc County, Miss., where more than a decade ago school officials were sued in federal court over their practice of student-led intercom prayer and Bible classes. Anna Watson, a 17-year-old junior at the high school, was looking forward to the prom, especially since the town's only hotspot is the bowling alley, she said. "I am a little bummed out about it. I guess it's a decision that had to be made. Either way someone was going to get disappointed — either Constance was or we were," Watson said. "I don't agree with homosexuality, but I can't change what another person thinks or does." Other students are on McMillen's side. McKenzie Chaney, 16, said she wasn't planning to attend the prom, but "it's kind of ridiculous that they can't let her wear the tuxedo and it all be over with." A Feb. 5 memo to students laid out the criteria for bringing a date to the prom, and one requirement was that the person must be of the opposite sex. The ACLU said McMillen approached school officials shortly before the memo went out because she knew same-sex dates had been banned in the past. The ACLU said district officials told McMillen she and her girlfriend wouldn't be allowed to arrive together, that she would not be allowed to wear a tuxedo, and that she and her girlfriend might be asked to leave if their presence made any other students "uncomfortable." McMillen said she feared she would be thrown out of the prom because "we do live in the Bible Belt."  

With out reading the whole thing I am curious as to why she "sought out" to wear a tux and bring her GF. Why didn't she just buy the tickets and show up that way? I never had to get my date or apparel approved before attending. 

Why didn't she just buy the tickets and show up that way? I never had to get my date or apparel approved before attending. Me either. I never even thought of that. Anyhoo, I think this is ridiculous. Like seriously, cancel prom because of it? I knew someone who brought their girlfriend and no one cared. 

I agree, Alo. Even though it's crap that they didn't allow her to go and that they cancelled the prom just because they couldn't prevent her from going- I still say she did it for attention. Being homosexual has become somewhat of a "fad" lately. 

- I still say she did it for attention. Being homosexual has become somewhat of a "fad" lately. I actually agree with you. There was really no reason for her to go and ask permission or whatever she did and if she wouldn't have done that there would most likely still be a prom going on. 

I don't see why they must cancel. They can ban her from going. No need to ruin it for everyone else. 

School policy requires that senior prom dates be of the opposite sex. Is that even legal... I am not going to hop onto my soapbox about gay couple, but that really lights a fire under my a$$! Damn Haters! 

don't see why they must cancel. They can ban her from going. No need to ruin it for everyone else. But that's the thing- they CANT bar her from going. They are infringing upon her rights. So since they CANT bar her, they'd rather cancel the whole thing than let her show up with her girlfriend. 

They can ban her from going. Why would they ban her??? What has she done to be banned? 

why can't they infringe upon her rights? It's high school. You follow the rules. lol 

Well they suck. I know my school could ban some students. 

they'd rather cancel the whole thing than let her show up with her girlfriend. What is wrong with having a girlfriend? Why does that have to matter? 

McMillen said she feared she would be thrown out of the prom because "we do live in the Bible Belt And that statement is completely absurd. It's not as if religious people are the only ones who oppose homosexuality. THAT irks me. Don't assume it's because of religion. 

It is ridiculous to cancel it. As long as they weren't dry humping on the dance floor (which a straight couple shouldn't be doing either) who cares? 

It's high school. You follow the rules. Well, that is just GAY! LMAO 

Why would they ban her??? What has she done to be banned? She has done nothing. Lol, in fact I think the school sucks for this. I mean if they absolutely will not allow her, there is no need to cancel all prom. 

It is ridiculous to cancel it. As long as they weren't dry humping on the dance floor (which a straight couple shouldn't be doing either) who cares? Ding ding ding Fukin DING! 

What is wrong with having a girlfriend? Why does that have to matter? It doesn't matter. If I were her, I would have shown up without permission. They did tell her she was allowed to go but she couldn't wear a tuxedo. She could have chosen to go then but she didn't. However, they did tell her she may be asked to leave if other students felt uncomfortable and that's messed up, too 

Well, that is just GAY! LMAO HA! they've not been allowed in the past. She should have just conformed. :P 

If they DID ban her and I were her, I'd sneak in pretending to be a guy. :) 

It's high school. You follow the rules. Really though it shouldn't even be a rule. I would rather some chick show up with another chick wearing a tux than some of those skimpy "dresses" you see teens wearing now. A girl I knew brought another girl to prom and we all went together. They weren't lesbians but one of the girls was a junior and the other couldn't find a date. 

I would rather some chick show up with another chick wearing a tux than some of those skimpy "dresses" you see teens wearing now. Right? Me too! I thought my lesbian couple friends were ADORABLE at prom! More adorable then a lot of couples there. Lol 

However, they did tell her she may be asked to leave if other students felt uncomfortable and that's messed up, too and I bet the only ones who would have felt uncomfortable would have been the school board, had they even showed up. I doubt most of the kids would even care, and I'd hope the adults wouldn't either. As long as there wasn't an over abundance of PDA, what does it matter? That goes for a straight couple, too, like was said earlier. 

they've not been allowed in the past. She should have just conformed. DUH, I mean, this is only the 2010's... HELLO! 

DUH, I mean, this is only the 2010's... HELLO! exactly! 

It's a stupid rule but IF it's a rule- she should be expected to follow it like everyone else. Just like the kid who had to sit out of graduation for a prank, kwim? 

I vote myself as the lesbian of LU.. who wants to go to the prom with me? 

seriously, first we let them go to prom together. next thing you know they are getting married AND joining the military. :P 

"that she and her girlfriend might be asked to leave if their presence made any other students "uncomfortable." What a bunch of horse sh!t. Seriously. Bible belt, that's all I have to say. 

vote myself as the lesbian of LU.. who wants to go to the prom with me? Me! I want to wear a tux though. AND a top hat.