The Itawamba County school district will pay Constance McMillen $35,000, said a school district spokesman.

    “I am really excited that it is over with and we won and things are going to change,” said McMillen, who is aged 18.

“People hate because they are scared and ignorant and they hate change. This will help everybody.”     

McMillen, who has been openly gay since 8th grade, said she appealed to the American Civil Liberties Union  after Itawamba Agricultural High School canceled its prom in April to prevent her from attending with her girlfriend.

    “She was standing up for the right to be treated equally and not to be forced to wear certain types of clothing to conform to gender stereotypes,” said union lawyer Christine Sun.

    McMillen has moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and will start college next year.