From Macon.com:
Gay-rights supporters from across the country are offering to buy everything from boutonnieres to dinner for a Bleckley County High School senior who was granted permission to take his boyfriend to the prom.
At least two supporters have offered to rent a stretch limo for Derrick Martin and his boyfriend.
Martin asked his principal this year if he could take another male to his senior prom, set for April 17.
At first school officials told the 18-year-old that the town of Cochran, with a population of 5,200, wasn’t ready for it.
The high school only had a policy that barred bringing a date older than the age of 21, so school officials subsequently told Martin they granted his request.
....
But because of the media attention, Martin’s parents have kicked him out and the teen is staying with a friend, he said.
Ann sent me a link a few days ago, but I'm just now getting to post Derrick's story. How sad that Derrick's parents won't share his joy at being allowed to take the person of his choice to the prom. How wonderful that so many people want to help Derrick and his date enjoy their evening and that he has a friend with good and welcoming parents. Derrick's parents now have the negative attention of the media. How embarrassing - much more embarrassing than if they'd shared in their son's pleasure that the school authorities allowed Derrick to take his date of choice to the prom. A tip of the hat to the school authorities for doing the right thing.
Thanks for telling this story here...I´m thrilled for easy open dignity of Derrick and the response from around the Nation and his friends at home...who could know the thinking of parents who throw their LGBT into the street? On and on it goes, ignorance confused with religious correctness or dirty old shame.
ReplyDeleteA heartwarming story except for the parents. Perhaps they'll come round. If they do, the situation would seem to require some sort of public confession.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder if we shouldn't be licensing parents. After all, raising a kid is a more serious endeavor than driving a car isn't it?
ReplyDeleteSomeday, he'll marry a doctor, and then they'll be sorry.
ReplyDeleteIf he's like most of the gay boys and lesbian girls I've known (including Michael), he'll be the one supporting the aging parents and/or setting straight the wayward irresponsible straight siblings. Usually, it's the gay kid who is the most resilient and most sane member of insane families. The gay kids are resilient and sane because they have to be. The rest of the family slackers can slide through life on the privilege of being "normal" and be stark raving bonkers.
Jesus wept
ReplyDeleteSomeday, he'll marry a doctor, and then they'll be sorry.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Revenge!
You're right, Counterlight. The gay and lesbian kids often turn out to be the care-givers. I wish we had one or the other to take care of us in our advanced old age.
As Leo said, Derrick looks to be full of grace and dignity.
Susankay, yes. It's quite sad.
ReplyDeleteDerrick sounds and looks lovely and deserves all of the support he is getting. I hope his parents are thoroughly ashamed. I wish Constance McMillen was getting this level of support though.
ReplyDeleteWe do not know Derrick but we are members of PFLAG in GA and the PFLAG group in Macon (some that we know personally) have been in touch with Derrick. They are making sure that he has community and that he is safe. There are a number of parents of GLBT individuals in the group and hopefully they can have some influence with Derrick's parents.
ReplyDeleteCathy, Constance is receiving support, just not much in her school community, which is sad. At least her parents support her.
ReplyDeleteTwo Auntees, I'm so glad to hear your news from GA. What a shame that the kids have to go through stuff like this.
One of the finalists for the college scholarships for GLTB students, named after my sister, was a young man who had been thrown out by his parents when he came out as gay. He was a fine person and was fortunate to have a family take him in and treat him like their own.
First Mississippi and now Georgia! What is happening to traditional, family values in the South?
ReplyDeleteTrue, Ormonde. I know that we never had gays in Louisiana until recently. Heh, heh.
ReplyDeleteRe Constance, yes it's true that her parents are supporting her. The school community and the other parents definitely aren't, unfortunately. Though I guess that's what happens when people break ranks, as she and Derrick have done. The good thing is that they are both making it that small bit easier for others after them.
ReplyDeleteRe the recent arrival of gays in Louisiana, Mimi, my opinion is that that is because your blog is converting people to gaydom, through your use of secret and highly cunning "word verification" clues designed to play fiendishly with the minds of innocent people.
wv - bawko - "I was recently caught by police bawkoing in a gay pub. I blame Mimi, it's her fault"
Actually, homosexuality was invented in NYC in 1969. It's true!
ReplyDeletew.v. = flamamed which is a little too close to flamed to be mere coincidence!
Cathy, all those kind bachelor uncles and maiden aunts were no more than that. If Punkie says gayness was invented in naughty New York in 1969, then I'm guilty as charged for inciting gayness in the South.
ReplyDeleteActually, my relatives invented homosexuality in rural Missouri in the late 19th century.
ReplyDeleteWV = bablyho who makes these up?