By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — A Mississippi teen told by her school district she couldn't attend prom because wanted to bring her longtime girlfriend will lead New York's Gay Pride Parade, organizers announced Tuesday.
Constance McMillen, 18, will be one of the grand marshals of the 41st Annual LGBT Pride March on June 27.
“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,” McMillen, said in a statement.
“I’m really honored and touched to be asked to be part of this celebration.”
McMillen wanted to take hergirlfriend to her Fulton, Miss. high school prom but was told she could take a male date or go alone, the Daily News reported.
After the American Civil Liberties Union successfully sued the school district on McMillen's behalf, the district canceled the prom, according to the New York Times.
Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in a anti-gay hate crime in 1998 and Dan Choi, an openly gay former Army lieutenant who is now a member of the National Guard, will also be grand marshals, according to the parade organizer's Web site.
