A male student won the title of homecoming queen at a Memphis, Tennessee high school last Friday night, and the school and district administration is 100-percent in his corner.
According to the HuffPost, White Station High School’s Brandon Allen, who is gay and refers to himself as the “Queen of Extra,” wore a gold sequin gown at the ceremony because “he truly believes he is royalty.”
Technically, Allen’s official title is “Homecoming Royalty.”
The school posted a snap of Allen “rocking his dress,” as the senior put it:
Principal Carrye Holland defended Allen on Facebook, noting it was his choice to run for homecoming court under Title IX, and that students ultimately choose who they want “to support as […] royalty.”
“I’m exceedingly proud to be the principal of our amazing school,” she continued. “You don’t have to agree but disrespectful comments will be deleted. WSHS loves and supports everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe. Thank you for the love and light from so many of you.”
White Station High School made the switch to gender-neutral titles this year, forgoing the traditional titles of homecoming king and queen.
Emmett Campbell, the student photographer who snapped the picture of Allen, said his principal had made a phenomenal impact at the school since she stepped up from her previous role as vice principal this year. …
Allen said he’d been stressing before the event, and described his win as a big relief. Of the negative Facebook posts, he said: “I don’t really care.”
“I am so happy my principal stood up for me,” Allen added. “She is such an awesome principal.”
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray tweeted out his support for Allen, saying “the District is committed to ensuring a positive and respectful school environment where everyone is treated with dignity.”
MORE: Homecoming king, queen now 3 students ‘who could identify as any gender’
MORE: ‘Gender inclusivity’: Penn State abolishes king, queen homecoming titles
IMAGE: Shutterstock.com
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