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Ellen Degeneres gives scholarship to lesbian teen Constance McMillen
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Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old teen, is currently fighting a legal battle against her Jackson, Mississippi school district ... just to go to her prom. Her high school issued a list of rules for the event, specifying that dates must be of opposite sexes.
When McMillen notified the school that she planned to attend the prom with her girlfriend, the entire dance was canceled because, according to the school, of "distractions to the educational process caused by recent events."
On Friday, McMillen was a guest on "The Ellen Degeneres Show," saying, "I'm not going to go to prom and pretend like I'm not gay. I just want to be myself and go to the prom that I was supposed to have since I've known what prom was."
Degeneres surprised McMillen, who has a 3.8 GPA, with a $30,000 scholarship check and internship opportunity in New York from Tonic.com.
"When I was your age I never would've had the strength to do what you're doing," Ellen said. "By being yourself and doing what's right you're going to make a lot of change, and that's really important."
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When McMillen notified the school that she planned to attend the prom with her girlfriend, the entire dance was canceled because, according to the school, of "distractions to the educational process caused by recent events."
On Friday, McMillen was a guest on "The Ellen Degeneres Show," saying, "I'm not going to go to prom and pretend like I'm not gay. I just want to be myself and go to the prom that I was supposed to have since I've known what prom was."
Degeneres surprised McMillen, who has a 3.8 GPA, with a $30,000 scholarship check and internship opportunity in New York from Tonic.com.
"When I was your age I never would've had the strength to do what you're doing," Ellen said. "By being yourself and doing what's right you're going to make a lot of change, and that's really important."
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook and @cadlymack on Twitter for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.
More on Ellen Degeneres:
Ellen Degeneres calls Simon Cowell a primadonna
Lady Gaga freaks out on the Ellen Degeneres show
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this is crazy...im not against gays at all but there are a lot of young ppl that deserve scholorships and just cause your gay and ellen is gay you get one...
Um, no, Linda, you idiot. She's getting a scholarship to help make up for the lack of opportunity given by her high school. I think this makes a lot more sense than the lazy housewives who get lucky with the Oprah big giveaway every year.
I think the school done the right thing by letting her not come to the prom. and she is out for just for the money. I dont want my kids in school with her. That is just sick for anybody to stand up for this. that why god made adam and eve.
a black bird and a red bird has to sit in same tree but diffrent branches.
Dale, I'm a straight married woman with four great children and I'd be PROUD if my kids went to a school that would allow a teen to bring the person she or he loves to the prom, regardless of gender. We're talking about love here, and it's genderless, colorless, and fearless. And that's what this brave girl is, fearless. That's what Ellen's rewarding you backward, backwater idiot.
One thing I can guarantee you, I would NOT want my kids to go to school with your kids who have learned nothing but bigotry and hatred, and really poor grammar.
-Marci
Love you Marci! Poor grammar! LOL. What do expect from bigoted white trash?
DALE: you would think the "school done the right thing". It sounds like you are as backwards and discriminatory as the people she has had to deal with. Why don't you try practicing tolerance? You do not have to accept that she is gay, but you could at least not be such a bigot.
Oh and maybe go back to the first grade and relearn grammar.
y does SHE get a free scholarship???? have your own prom dont drag your life into other peoples proms!!!!
ps. i dont care if u call me names get over yourself
LOL a guy wearing a dress would be FUNNY! :D