Mississippi School Superintendent Upholds Ban on Lesbian Tux Photo

Ceara Sturgis, the lesbian senior at Wesson Attendance Center in Mississippi whose yearbook photo was rejected by the school because she is wearing a tuxedo, plans to press ahead with her complaint against the school. The school's superintendent says he plans to uphold the ban:

"In a statement released Friday to the Copiah County Courier, school Superintendent Ricky Clopton said the district has no intention of reversing its decision.'We have had our legal counsel research the validity of the position of the School District on this matter,' he said in the statement. 'We are informed by counsel that this exact issue has been litigated in federal court. The decisions of the federal courts completely support the policy of the district in this regard. It is the desire of the Copiah County School District to inform, first, the patrons of the district, and second, all other interested parties, that its position is not arbitrary, capricious or unlawful, but is based upon sound educational policy and legal precedent.'"

Last week, the ACLU got involved, asking the school for a response before pursuing action against it.

A Ceara Sturgis fan group on Facebook has been set up and has nearly 600 members.

Mississippi School Refuses to Publish Yearbook Photo of Lesbian in Tux

Wesson Attendance Center, a K-12 school located south of Jackson, Mississippi, is refusing to allow out lesbian Ceara Sturgis to publish a photo in the yearbook in which she is wearing a tuxedo.

The AP's Shelia Byrd reports: "Traditionally, female students dress in drapes and males wear tuxedos. Now, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi has gotten involved, issuing a demand letter to Principal Ronald Greer to publish the picture of Sturgis in the tuxedo. The ACLU says it's giving the school until Oct. 23 to respond before pursuing court action, said Kristy L. Bennett, the ACLU's legal director. A secretary for Greer referred questions to Copiah County Schools Superintendent Rickey Clopton, who declined to comment on Thursday. Sturgis said she should get to decide how she looks in the senior photo."

Said Sturgis: "I feel like I'm not important, that the school is dismissing who I am as a gay student and that they don't even care about me. All I want is to be able to be me, and to be included in the yearbook."

Watch a video report HERE.

News: Natchez, Barbara Walters, Stem Cells, Gay Panic, Pete Wentz

Student's lawsuit against L.A. City College over speech in support of Proposition 8 prompts anti-gay protests, formation of "gay unity" club, and death threats to a man who had nothing to do with it.

Life in the Castro of Natchez, Mississippi: "Though it’s seen, and not often discussed in proper company, there’s a grand gay scene in Natchez. Thom Miller and Shawyn Mars have been together nearly 18 years and have had Natchez as part of their dual residency since the 1990s. Miller said he and Mars make up one of just many gay couples that call Franklin Street home." (via box turtle bulletin)

Barbara Walters: people want to be on my face?

Nancy Pelosi promises passage of inclusive ENDA.

The origin of eight high-tech names: Tivo, Hulu, Bluetooth, BlackBerry, Wii Wikipedia, Asus, and Prius.

Scientists no longer need embryos for stem cells: "In a breakthrough that could have huge implications, British and Canadian scientists have found a way of reprogramming skin cells taken from adults, effectively winding the clock back on the cells until they were in an embryonic form. The work has been hailed as a major step forward by scientists and welcomed by pro-life organisations, who called on researchers to halt other experiments which use stem cells collected from embryos made at IVF clinics."

Are all these men fun and fearless?

Only Pete Wentz's hairdresser knows for sure.

Matthew Mitcham takes four diving titles at weekend's Australian Diving Championships.

Barry Manilow music employed to drive out mall rats.

Tahoe board rescinds domestic partner benefits: "The Incline Village General Improvement District board has decided to rescind health care insurance benefits to domestic partners of district employees. Board Chairman Ted Fuller says he voted to rescind the benefits because of the need to cut costs and the potential for abuse. Board member John Bohn says he again voted against the benefits because he doesn't think the north Lake Tahoe community supports them."

Gay panic defense emerges in eight year old Fresno murder.

Outrage: Jury buys gay panic defense in trial of gay couple's killer in Spain.

Greek teen gets love interest in the form of Gregory Michael from Dante's Cove.

The reviews are in for Jimmy Fallon's first night as host of Late Night.

A very trippy ad for MAC cosmetics.

Arizona teens leaning left, survey says: "There's greater exposure to different media and different ideas, and you would have more acceptance of abortion, you would certainly have more acceptance of a gay American, and you'd also be raised in an atmosphere that was more ethnically diverse than one your parents came from."

GOP Senator Wicker Attempts to Scare Voters with Costumed Gays

GOP Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi is being challenged for his seat by former Governor Ronnie Musgrove and he's pulling out all the stereotypes in a new ad accusing Musgrove of taking money from liberal interest groups like the Human Rights Campaign, which Talking Points Memo notes is untrue. What is true is that the DSCC (who does accept money from HRC) is spending heartily against Wicker.

So, there's nothing to scare the Mississippi voters like the specter of the gays Village People!

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Horsesh*t: McCain Clip Shows Muttering Never Wise at Debates

A video spread around the net over the weekend highlighting the moment during the Mississippi debate when Barack Obama mentioned that McCain said he was unsure about meeting with the president of Spain. The video's maker claims a visibly rattled McCain utters "horsesh*t" under his breath.

I'd have to go with Andrew Sullivan's assessment, that McCain is saying some version of "of course" although it's still unclear exactly what he's saying.

Which is why it's wise not to look flustered and angry at debates while you mutter something under your breath. Or, as Al Gore knows all too well, sigh.

Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

Childers in 'Seismic' Mississippi Win as Red District Goes Blue

A bellwether for November?

A stunning win for Democrat Travis Childers in the 1st congressional district in Mississippi, where Cheney and Huckabee campaigned for Republican Greg Davis.

AP: "It happened again Tuesday, as Travis Childers beat Greg Davis in a special election to replace Republican Roger Wicker, who served in the House since 1994 and was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott. Childers' win will give him the chance over the next several months left in the seat's two-year term to build a fundraising and publicity advantage as he heads into November's general election. He will again face Davis, as well as two other opponents. Childers' win gave Democrats a 236-199 edge over Republicans in Congress."

Said Mike Huckabee: "The Republican brand is badly damaged..."

Added Chris Matthews: "It's like the Democrats losing in Brooklyn..."

Watch the analysis by Olbermann, Russert, Matthews, and Huckabee, AFTER THE JUMP...