The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is a collaboration of people and organizations who believe that no student should ever feel too afraid to go to school. Harassment, bullying, and unfair school policy can make schools into hostile places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth or young people who are mistakenly perceived to be queer. We train students and allies to make schools safer while fighting for long-term policy change.

Mission

The mission of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is to ensure that all students have a safe learning environment by protecting students’ constitutional rights, ending homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination, and fostering acceptance of students regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity through public education and advocacy.

Leadership

MSSC believes that it’s impossible to make schools safe without giving young people a voice; for this reason, the coalition is entirely youth led. Our governing body is the Queer Youth Advisory Board (or QYAB). QYAB is made up of diverse high school and college age youth activists from across the state.

CONTACT:
Matthew Sheffield, Communications Director, MSSC, 601-460-0506, matthew@mssafeschools.org
Jamie Carter, Secretary, MSSC, 601-506-9765, jamie@mssafeschools.org

Tupelo, MS– On Saturday, May 8, 2010 the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition (MSSC) will host Second Chance Prom in Tupelo, MS at the Bancorp South Arena. The evening will include dinner, a formal program (including awards for outstanding youth), music and dancing. ?uestLove (from The Roots) will DJ, Hey Champ will play and Lance Bass has confirmed that he will appear. A-list event planner Michael Russo, of Roses n Lollipops, has organized the event.

“I am more than thrilled that prom day is finally here,” says Audri Ingram, age 15, Advisory Board Member of the MSSC. “MSSC members worked really hard to help plan this event. I know what it’s like to not be accepted for who I am, so this event is all about making sure people are accepted for who they are.”

This event is made possible through the generous support of funders, both in and out of Mississippi. Major sponsors include Green Day, the American Humanist Association, Iron Chef Cat Cora, Human Rights Campaign, and Lance Bass, who is a Mississippi native and vocal supporter of LGBT rights.

Members of the media are not allowed inside the event when it begins, however the MSSC cordially invites members of the media to the following:

What: Media Walk Through of Arena
Members of the media will get a look at the arena decorated for the prom, and have access to select youth members of MSSC for interviews.
When: Saturday, May 8 2010, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Bancorp South Arena, Tupelo MS

What: Media Press Conference
Members of the media will have access to select event organizers, celebrities and

There will be four pickup locations: Jackson, Hattiesburg, Southaven, and Oxford. (Please refer to the itineraries below for specific departure times and pickup locations.) All buses will arrive at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo at approximately 4:00 P.M. and leave the arena at 11:30 P.M. to return to their cities of origin.

Transportation back to your individual homes will not be provided, so please prepare to have transportation present at the drop off locations when the buses return.

If you are under 18, you must present a signed parental consent form or you will not be allowed to board the bus. (You can download the form here: http://mssafeschools.org/files/transportation.pdf) Additionally, if you leave on the bus, you must also return to your original pickup location on the bus. Consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs will not be allowed on the buses or at the arena.

Bus Itineraries:

Jackson Bus
12:30 P.M.: Leave Jackson from the parking lot of:
Drury Inn Hotel (610 East County Line Road / Ridgeland, MS 39157).
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Jackson.
2:30 A.M.: Arrive in Jackson in the parking lot of:
Drury Inn Hotel (610 East County Line Road / Ridgeland, MS 39157).

Hattiesburg Bus
11:00 A.M.: Leave Hattiesburg from the parking lot of:
Roses’s (3720 Hardy Street / Hattiesburg, MS 39402).
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Hattiesburg.
4:00 A.M.: Return to Hattiesburg.
Roses’s (3720 Hardy Street / Hattiesburg, MS 39402).

Southaven via Oxford Bus
1:15 P.M.: Leave from Southaven from the parking lot of:
Desoto Civic Center (4560 Venture Drive / Southaven, MS 38671).
2:45 P.M.: Leave Oxford from the parking lot of:
Kroger (2013 University Avenue / Oxford, MS 38655)
4:00 P.M.: Arrive in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Arena.
11:30 P.M.: Leave Tupelo to return to Jackson.
12:30 A.M.: Arrive in Oxford:
Kroger (2013 University Avenue / Oxford, MS 38655)
1:30 A.M.: Arrive in Southaven in the parking lot of:
Desoto Civic Center (4560 Venture Drive / Southaven, MS 38671).
If you will be leaving your cars at the pickup locations, please park in the back of the parking lot.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation to prom, please contact John Yu at john@mssafeschools.org.

Thanks again and see you Saturday!

-MSSC.

We are so excited about this weekend, and honored that you will be joining us at Second Chance Prom.

We are wanting to make sure this event if both fun AND safe, and to this end we are requiring that all participants (volunteers and attendees) sign a consent form. It is important that we look out for everyone’s safety, and know who wants to be filmed and who doesn’t.

The link below contains a PDF, which will need to be signed by all attendees. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THIS FORM SIGNED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IN ORDER TO ATTEND THE EVENT. If you are above the age of 18 you can sign this at the door. You are also welcome to print it out and bring it
with you.

http://mssafeschools.org/files/waiver.pdf

See y’all this weekend! If you have any questions please contact info@mssafeschools.org.

MSSC

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.)

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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We need YOUR help!
The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, along with our generous donors and partners thus far, are asking for your financial assistance to help throw the best inclusive prom Mississippi has ever seen!

Our donors have helped us get this far….
But we need your help to reach our goal of raising an additional $25,000 to ensure that the prom is safe, fun and fabulous.  We will use the thermometer as a way of showing our progress.

Your donation may be used in a number of ways, including:

• Security
• Entertainment
• Catering
• Transportation assistance
• Sound and Lighting
• Decorations

To make a donation please visit our Join/Donate page.

More information about Day of Silence can be found here: http://www.dayofsilence.org

This year, the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition purchased 150 t-shirts to distribute to gay-straight alliances, student groups, and community groups across the state. We are proud to report that the t-shirts went fast! Every year, participation in Day of Silence is growing in Mississippi. If we are missing your group or school, email us at info@mssafeschools.org.

Next year, let’s make Day of Silence an even bigger success for Mississippi! Thank you to the following schools/organizations that have representatives participating in Day of Silence in 2010:

• USM GSA
• Spectrum (MSU)
• MUW
• Ole Miss GSA
• Millsaps
• Alcorn
• JCJC
• Wesson HS
• Oxford HS
• MSMS GSA
• Batesville HS
• Hattiesburg HS GSA
• Jim Hill HS
• Eta Episilon Gamma Sorority Inc.