The American Humanist Association has offered to fund a gay-friendly prom after a school cancelled its party when a lesbian student demanded the right to bring her girlfriend. Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Mississippi called off the event after denying an 18-year-old student the right to attend with her partner. Adam Knowles, chair of the British Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, described its decision as “reprehensible”. He added: “They would rather see all their pupils suffer than give the gay minority a chance to share in their happiness.”