Payout for lesbian barred from prom

A lesbian teenager who was banned from taking her girlfriend to her high school prom will receive $35,000 (£23,000) to settle a discrimination lawsuit.

Itawamba Agricultural High School in rural Mississippi cancelled its dance rather than let Constance McMillen, 18, attend with her partner.

"I am really excited it is over with and we won and things are going to change," said Ms McMillen, who was supported by the American Civil Liberties Union. "People hate because they are scared and ignorant and they hate change. This will help everybody."