NEW ORLEANS -- A hotel owner in New Orleans is offering to host prom for a rural Mississippi high school whose dance was canceled after a lesbian student wanted to take her girlfriend.

The ACLU demanded that officials at Itawamba County Agricultural High School change their policy against same-sex prom dates, and alleged the district violated 18-year-old Constance McMillen's free expression rights by not letting her wear a tux.

McMillen is asking a federal judge to force the school district to reinstate the dance.

Meanwhile, New Orleans hotel owner Sean Cummings is offering to take the students to New Orleans by bus, and host a free prom at one of his properties.

Cummings said he was struck by McMillen's convictions.

"I admire her for standing up, and a lot of people support her," he said. "They are being wronged... and wrongly so."

Cummings said he is still trying to connect with students on the details of his offer and hopes to do so over the weekend.

The message he wants all of the students to hear: "Hey kids, your high school experience shouldn't be laced with negativity and policy decisions and legal skirmishes."