Georgia High School Senior Derrick Martin Garners Support For Taking Boyfriend To Prom But Parents Throw Him Out

18 year old Derrick Martin, a senior at Blackley County High School in the tiny town of Cochran, Georgia, (population 5,200) that I posted about Tuesday who asked and received permission to take his boyfriend to prom, has left home, his parents, according to reports having kicked him out after the story ran. Yesterday, the story drew international attention, and according to Martin, he was overwhelmed with support from strangers who sent flowers, notes of encouragement, and offers ranging from paying for the limousine, to buying boutonnieres for Derrick and his boyfriend, to an Atlanta filmmaker who wants to document the day. Derrick, like Constance McMillen, sought permission from the school to escort his same sex companion to the school’s prom April 17th, but unlike McMillen, whose Mississippi school cancelled prom altogether instead of revisiting and revising a policy that forbids same sex dating, Derrick’s principal said yes. The school does have a policy in place that no one can bring a date older than 21 years, but the language is gender neutral. Among those offering support to Derrick was Drew Dowdell, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who set up a link on his website for donations to help pay for the limo ride. “I want to help Derrick have the best prom he can,” said Dowdell, “because I worry that anti-gay people in his school will be doing their best to ruin it for him. I’m proud that he was willing to go to the school to make an issue about it.” Derrick said that Tuesday he received 54 message of support on his Facebook page, and that it was greatly appreciated. “I was speechless that they said they would buy me dinner or buy me a tux in case someone messed mine up.” Derrick is currently living with a friend’s family.