Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

4th Annual Second Chance Prom to be May 19th in Hattiesburg

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

written by Anna C. Davis (anna@mssafeschools.org)

HATTIESBURG – MSSC in partnership with the Gay Straight Alliance at The University of Southern Mississippi are proud to announce the 4th Annual Second Chance Prom. The Prom which will occur May 19th, 2012 in the Thad Cochran Center at the USM – Hattiesburg campus, is open to individuals 16-30 years old.

This year’s theme will be a Brazilian-style Carnival, so break out your bright colors and save those Mardi Gras outfits!

Check out our #MSSCProm page for more details.

Cost: Tickets to the event are $10 each

Eligibility: You must be between the ages of 16-30 to attend #MSSCProm.
If your date is over that age or under that age, we cannot guarantee admittance. Please contact us at info@mssafeschools.org

If you would like to donate or volunteer for Second Chance Prom please contact us and check out our volunteer page.

What is Second Chance Prom?

Prom can be a time for great excitement and bonding with fellow classmates, but for many lesbian, transgender, bisexual, gay and queer students, prom can also be stressful. Many students are not able to bring their date of choice because of gender or sexual orientation. Many also are not able to wear clothes that make them feel comfortable or reflect who they are. MSSC’s Second Chance Prom offers one night a year when students and young people are able to have the prom experience while not worrying so much about their gender identity or sexual orientation being an issue.

The first Second Chance Prom in Mississippi was held in 2009 in Meridian, MS by Mississippi State University’s student organization, Spectrum, with help from the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition. In 2010, MSSC took the lead on the prom following the news rush surrounding Ceara Sturgis and Constance McMillen. That year, the prom hosted more than 400 folks in Tupelo, MS. The following year, MSU’s Delta Omega Lambda co-hosted the prom at the Mississippi State University Campus.

Posted in Anna C., Events, Media, Press Release, Second Chance Prom | No Comments »

Ceara Sturgis WINS Tux Lawsuit Against Mississippi School!

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

by Anna C. Davis (anna@mssafeschools.org)

WESSON, Miss. – In a tremendous victory, Ceara Sturgis saw the end of a two-year battle with her former high school, Wesson Attendance Center. In 2009, Ceara was preparing for her senior portraits like most high school students her age. She took her photos in formal wear like many of the other students at her school. The only difference between Ceara and the other students – she was told that her attire was inappropriate for the photos. Ceara (seen here with her mother) wore a tuxedo for her senior portrait instead of the drape, a piece of cloth meant to mimic an off-the-shoulder dress. Today it was announced that two years later, Ceara has won her case against the school district which will have to institute a new policy. Students from Copiah County School District will now only be allowed to wear caps and gowns in yearbook senior portraits. According to the ACLU, “The school will also amend its anti-discrimination policy to add language affirming its commitment to following the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.”

Mississippi became the focus for queer youth activism in 2010, first with  Ceara’s tux case and then Constance McMillen’s prom case. Ceara, Constance and MSSC’s Queer Youth Advisory Board were featured in CNN’s Gay in America series. You can find the CNN report and videos by Michelle Rozsa and Soledad O’Brien here.

These wins are tremendous for the state, but unfortunately they do not signal an end to discrimination in our schools. If you have a similar situation or need support tackling an issue please contact us at info@mssafeschools.org.

To see the ACLU report visit: ACLU.org

Posted in ... In The News, Make It Better, Policy Development, Press Release | 5 Comments »

MSSC Now Accepting Registrations for Second Chance Prom

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Update: Registration is now closed.

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is excited to announce that the registration form for Second Chance Prom is now available online. Any Mississippi youth or student between the ages of 15 and 23 are welcome to register. Youth and Students can access the registration form at:

Second Chance Prom will be held May 8th at the Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, MS. The event will last from 5pm until 11pm. There is no cost to attendees.

Space is limited so Register NOW! We will send a confirmation email to let you know that your space has been reserved. (NOTE: You will not receive the confirmation email immediately.)

Posted in Press Release, Second Chance Prom | 3 Comments »

Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition Announces Details of Second Chance Prom

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Jackson, MS April 20, 2010 — The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition (MSSC) announced more details today about the second annual Second Chance Prom that will take place May 8 in Tupelo, MS. The evening will include dinner, a formal program, music and dancing. Celebrity appearances and support are expected.

The purpose of the Second Chance Prom is to create a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and allies to have a safe and fun night where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. The event is primarily for students of Mississippi who are ages 15-23. This event aims to include all students regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, gender, or disability status.

In light of the events surrounding Constance McMillen at Itawamba Agricultural High School, the MSSC is also extending a special invitation to the students at that school to join in at the prom. “It was important to us that the students at IAHS receive an invitation to our prom. All students are welcomed,” says Matthew Sheffield, Communications Director of the MSSC.
This event is made possible through the generous support of funders, both in and out of Mississippi. These sponsors include MS native Lance Bass, who is both a vocal supporter of Constance and a sponsor of the event. Other major sponsors include Green Day, the American Humanist Association, and Cat Cora. With A-list celebrity event planner Michael Russo of Roses-n-Lollipops at the helm, the prom will be open to Mississippi students ages 15-23, and is sure to be an unforgettable evening for all those in attendance.

The Second Chance Prom is just one of the ways the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition and students from all over the state are ensuring that diversity has its place among southern values. More information about the MSSC can be found at our website, http://www.mssafeschools.org.

Any requests for further information regarding media, donations, and/or celebrity attendance should be directed to Michael Russo at mrusso@rosesnlollipops.com

To donate, individuals can do so online through our fiscal agent, the ACLU of MS https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=26771

Please Note: Make sure to put “MSSC” in the “Why are you donating today” field. This ensures that your donations are directed to the MSSC.

Individuals can also donate via check to or P.O. Box:
MS Safe Schools Coalition
P.O. Box 3442
Jackson, MS 39207
Please make checks payable to our fiscal agent, ACLU of MS. In memo note, please put MSSC.

Contact:
Michael Russo
Event Planner
mrusso(at)rosesnlollipops(dot)com

Matthew Sheffield
Communications Director, MSSC
601-460-0506
matthew(at)mssafeschools(dot)org

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Posted in Events, Fundraising, Press Release, Second Chance Prom | 1 Comment »

MSSC Launches New Website!

Friday, April 9th, 2010

The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is proud to launch its re-designed website! Please let us know if you experience any problems by emailing us at info@mssafeschools.org or by using the contact us page.

Posted in Press Release | 4 Comments »