by Rex Wockner - SGN Contributing Writer

Constance McMillen goes to the White House
Constance McMillen met President Barack Obama at the White House on June 22 at his annual pride-month gathering of Gay leaders and activists.

McMillen made headlines this year when Mississippi's Itawamba Agricultural High School canceled the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo.

Two private events were eventually held - a bigger one and a very small one. The American Civil Liberties Union alleges that parents and school officials diverted McMillen to a tiny "decoy" prom while her classmates attended a larger private prom 30 miles away.

"The honor of being invited to join President Obama at the White House ceremony and the amazing support I've received has helped me come to terms with what happened over the prom," McMillen said. "Unfortunately, I've heard from a lot of other kids who are having problems at their schools, too. I am grateful that President Obama recognizes the difficulties that LGBT youth still have, and I really hope the attention my case has generated will help encourage Congress to pass a federal law barring LGBT discrimination in schools so that no one else has to go through what I did."

On June 27, McMillen was a grand marshal of New York City's Gay pride parade.

Huckabee cites Gay sex "ick factor
Possible presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told The New Yorker on June 28 that there's an "ick factor" to Gay sex.

"I do believe that God created male and female and intended for marriage to be the relationship of the two opposite sexes," he said. "Male and female are biologically compatible to have a relationship. We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn't work the same." Huckabee also suggested that homosexuality is sinful.

"I've had people who worked for me who are homosexuals," he said. "And I don't walk around thinking, Oh, I pity them so much. I accept them as who they are! It's not like somehow their sin is so much worse than mine."

Eminem supports same-sex marriage
Rapper Eminem thinks Gay couples should be able to get married.

"I think if two people love each other, then what the hell?" he told The New York Times on June 14. "I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want. It's the new tolerant me!"

New York state bans anti-Gay bullying in schools
The New York Senate passed the Dignity for All Students Act on June 22, prohibiting harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in public schools.

The vote was 58-3. The measure already passed the state Assembly and is supported by Gov. David Paterson.

"Enacting the clearest possible protections for students represents a great victory for New York's students, parents and educators," said Lambda Legal's Hayley Gorenberg.

With assistance from Bill Kelley

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