Constance McMillen Named Grand Marshal of NYC Gay Pride Parade

Constance McMillen has been named a grand marshal of this year's 41^st Annual New York City gay pride parade, reports the Advocate.

The Mississippi high school student who fought her school's decision to cancel the prom rather than allow her to attend with her girlfriend will join grand marshals Lt. Dan Choi and Judy Shepard on June 27 in NYC at the oldest and largest LGBT pride parade in the country.

"I never dreamed so many people would support my fight to take my girlfriend to the prom, much less that I'd end up being asked to be a Grand Marshal at NYC Pride," said McMillen in a press release. "I'm really honored and touched to be asked to be part of this celebration."

The 18-year-old senior suffered discriminatory treatment at the hands of her fellow Mississippi Itawamba high school classmates and their parents, when she and seven other students were sent to a "fake" prom earlier this month.

Prior to that, McMillen and the ACLU sued the school district for its decision not to hold the prom rather than allow her to attend with her girlfriend and dressed in a tuxedo. A federal judge ruled that the district's actions violated McMillen's constitutional rights, but he didn't reinstate the school prom. 

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