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A Mississippi school scrapped its annual prom after a lesbian student told them she wanted to wear a tuxedo and bring a female date.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi gave the district until Wednesday to change their policy - which requires that senior prom dates be of the opposite sex - to allow the 18-year-old, Constance McMillen, to take her girlfriend and schoolmate to the dance.

But rather than change their policy, the school board decided they would rather scrap the event altogether, issuing a statement that said the prom would not be held "due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events."

The statement by district officials went on to say "It is our hope that private citizens will organise an event for the juniors and seniors. However, at this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of the Itawamba County School District, after taking into consideration the education, safety and well being of our students."

The ACLU believes that the school's policy banning same-sex prom dates is a violation of McMillen's constitutional rights. Legal director of the ACLU of Mississippi accused the district of avoiding the issue:

"That doesn't take away their legal obligations to treat all the students fairly," Ms Bennett said. "On Constance's behalf, this is unfair to her. All she's trying to do is assert her rights."

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