Time for a bit of good news, Part 2a, b, and c

1) From JayV at BlazingIndiscretions I learned of the case of Constance McMillen, an 18-year old lesbian in the decidedly uncomfortable environs of Fulton, Mississippi (population 3900).

She wanted to bring her girlfriend to her senior prom only to run afoul of school district rules that banned prom dates of the same gender and said only male students could wear tuxedos.

When she challenged the rules, the school canceled the prom rather than allow her to attend.

The ACLU filed suit on her behalf, saying her rights had been violated. In March, US District Court Judge Glen Davidson refused to make school officials hold the prom, but agreed that the district violated her rights.

A few days ago, McMillen's lawyers said they had accepted a settlement offer from the school district of $35,000 plus attorney's fees.

As part of the agreement, the district also said it would follow a policy not to discriminate based on sexual orientation in any educational or extracurricular activities or allow harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The school district claimed there already is such a policy - which, if that were true and was actually followed, this case never would have arisen.

2) Then there is, of course, the news that Argentina has become the first nation in Latin America to authorize same-sex marriage, an historic development because it involved facing down the organized, institutional power of the Catholic Church. Argentina is the third country this year to recognize same-sex marriage, joining Portugal and Iceland.

3) The chart at the top, originally from FiveThirtyEight.com but which I found at this post at jobsanger, is more than encouraging, it is - dare I use the word - hopeful. Bear in mind that this growth has taken place in the last 10 years. There is still a long way to go - but not quite as far as it was.