Derrick and Richard in their matching black tuxedos
A follow-up on the story of Derrick Martin who asked for and was given permission by the school authorities to take his boy friend to the prom. Unfortunately, Derrick's parents threw him out of the house when the publicity began. A friend's parents took him into their home.
From Macon.com:
Bleckley County High School senior Derrick Martin made history Saturday when he arrived at his high school prom on the arm of another boy.
He was the first in his hometown of Cochran — and perhaps in Georgia — to ask permission to take a same sex partner to prom and have his school allow it.
About 7:45 p.m., couples started to arrive at the high school in a line of stretch limos, a bus, a John Deere tractor and even carriage and buggy, and afterward walked through a crowd of parents and friends who snapped photos.
When Martin, 18, and his boyfriend Richard Goodman, also 18, stepped onto a makeshift “red carpet” and their names were announced, a few parents whispered but many in the crowd gave him a loud cheer. No one yelled out in protest.
“I wonder if they realize what they’ve done,” said Arturro Beeche, a San Francisco professor who flew into Georgia on Friday and drove Martin and Goodman to the prom. “Once it happens in small-town America, it will inspire so many,” he said.
....
The move had been met with some conflict, such as talk of a separate prom.
A few weeks back, a small group of students held an opposition rally in front of the town courthouse to protest. Martin’s parents also kicked him out of his home after the publicity.
But a rally in support of Martin was also held in a Macon park and supporters have donated more than $5,000 for college this fall.
Bleckley County High School in Cochran, Georgia, showed Itawamba High School in Fulton, Mississippi, the right way to do it. Fortunately, Constance McMillen's parents stood by her as her school, her classmates, and their parents failed her. There's no word in the story as to whether Derrick's parents have relented and invited him back home, so I presume they have not.
H/T to Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin for the link.
He is probably better off without that sort of parent. Alas.
ReplyDeleteFWIW
jimB
What an adorable couple! Kudos to Cochran GA for doing the right thing even if the parents did not.
ReplyDeleteI hope the young man and his parents reconcile, but more than that I'm so gratified that the town has, for the most part supported him and his partner.
ReplyDeleteThey make a very handsome couple and well done Bleckley County High School. Let's hope every other school in America picks up on and follows their example.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! I'm so glad they got to go with each other to the prom. The parents? They will miss out on a lot if they keep him out of their lives.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I was going to comment, but all I could think of to say was, "They are so cute!" and I didn't say it. You said it for me.
ReplyDeleteWe think alike Mimi, about a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is delightful news. According to Richard, they will be going to his prom in Tift County. That is very near where we live. I will listen for any information about that.
ReplyDeleteIt almost gives one hope for rural, Bible-belt America. Thanks for this story.
ReplyDeleteTwo Auntees, I hope things go as well for Richard at his school. Please let me know if you hear something. My email address is below my profile picture.
ReplyDeleteLisa, oh yes! Two Bible-belt states side by side and such different outcomes, but this story gives me hope.
Perhaps you need a couple more grandsons, Mimi? (I agree, they are Too Cute!)
ReplyDeleteI imagine I'll hear the grinding of teeth from the busybodies of the Southern Baptist Republican Church as they - once again - are ignored.
ReplyDeletePity that the wealthy Republican elite of Atlanta are allowed to speak for us and inflame the inferior minds in our communities - most of us in Georgia just aren't that worried about the alleged culture war.
Thanks for the follow up on these stories of courage (yes, courage, even in 2010). I've shared the link with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteWhy should he even need to ask for permission about who he could take to the prom?
ReplyDeleteWe have some very interesting pairings at my school events.
What a pleasure to write a post such as this.
ReplyDeleteDP, we're in the US, the land of the free. Principals of schools have a say in whom certain students may take to the prom.