Unlike Constance McMiilen, Derrick Martin got his prom over the weekend, and it went off without a hitch, or a protest, or parents teaching their children to lie.
The Bleckley County High School senior made history Saturday when he became the first student in his hometown of Cochran, Georgia, to ask permission to bring a same sex partner to prom and have his school allow it. And when Derrick, and his boyfriend Richard Goodman, arrived on the "red carpet" set up for prom, and their names were announced, many people in the crowd cheered loudly.
No one yelled in protest.
Arturro Beeche, a San Francisco professor who flew into Georgia on Friday and drove Martin and Goodman to the prom, said, “I wonder if they realize what they’ve done. Once it happens in small-town America, it will inspire so many.”
Maybe inspire some people in Mississippi, I might add.
Like Contsance McMiilen, Derrick Martin wanted to share his prom experience with his same-sex partner, and went before the school board seeking permission. But, unlike Constance, the school board granted permission, saying there was no policy in place against it.
A rally was held in Cochran to protest Derrick and Richard's attendance at prom. And some people protested and bitched and kvetched, like they had done at Constance's school. But unlike Constance, whose father stood with her in her fight, Derrick Martin's parent's kicked him out of their home.
Another rally was held in Macon to support the couple and supporters collected $5,000 for Derrick's college fund.
And next month, Derrick and Richard will be going to Richard's prom.
Nice to see a happy ending for a change.
What a cute couple! You know this biggest surprise in the story...it happened in the south! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope after a few weeks and everything gets back to normal, i.e. photographers stop shooting him, he and his parents reconcile.
ReplyDeleteSo great to read!
ReplyDeleteIts like Ugly Betty in real life.
ReplyDeleteso good to see
ReplyDelete