Federal Judge Awards American Civil Liberties Union $81,665 In Legal Fees In Constance McMillen Case

A federal judge has ordered that a Mississippi school district pay $81,665 in legal fees and expenses in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union acting on behalf of Constance McMillen, whose prom was cancelled because she wanted to bring her girlfriend to the dance, according to WMCTV.com. ACLU attorneys deemed the ruling a victory, and a reminder to school districts that ant-gay discrimination will not be tolerated. Monday, United States District Judge Glen H. Davidson, who had previously ruled that McMillen’s civil rights were violated after the Itawamba Agricultural High School in rural Mississippi cancelled the prom April 2nd rather than revising its archaic policies, signed an order calling for the Itawamba Country School District to pay $67,265.50 in attorney’s fees and another $14,400 in expenses. ACLU attorney Christine P. Sun said “We are very satisfied with the amount. This case was not about the money, but hopefully it will send a message to school districts that it’s not only wrong to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, but there are monetary consequences for doing so.” McMillen had previously been awarded $35,000 in damages, and the school district was forced to implement an explicit non-discrimination policy dealing with gay students.