One person who many believe served as a direct inspiration for the writers was Mississippi native Constance McMillen. In 2010, she was prevented from bringing her girlfriend to the Itawamba Agricultural High School prom. The then-high school student wanted to wear a tuxedo, and to attend the dance as a couple with her girlfriend.
When the school said no, Constance took action, citing discrimination.
She worked with the ACLU, and together, they sued her high school. The dance was canceled altogether, and some of Constance's classmates blamed her for not getting to have a prom.
When a privately held prom took place instead in March of 2010, Constance revealed that she was not invited.
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According to Constance, two private proms were held on the same night. She was invited to the one that had just a few other people at it but she said another one occurred at the same time, and that the majority of her classmates were in attendance.
She received $30,000 in a settlement from her school district. Ellen DeGeneres later matched that sum when she had Constance appear on her talk show.
Constance ultimately transferred high schools as well.
The Prom is available to stream on Netflix now.
