US: Arizona school denies lesbian couple homecoming bid for queen and queen
Students at a school in Arizona have banded together in support of a lesbian couple who were denied the opportunity to be nominated as homecoming queen and queen.
The Willow Canyon High School banned the couples’ bid due to a school tradition only allowing a male and female pair.
According to USA Today, supporters of the couple said that all ballots nominating the couple for homecoming royalty were discounted.
“We’re tired of the social normality that the king and queen have to be male and female,” said junior student Kody Jiles, who added that it was unfair for the school to veto ballots.
Senior student Samantha Breedveld said: “You’re our school, you’re meant to support your students, not shut them down saying you’re only supposed to do this. It’s just wrong.”
The Dysart Unified School District have responded with a statement, which recounts the school’s policy for tradition but fails to comment on any issue of discrimination.
The statement reads: “The Willow Canyon High School students do not elect a couple as Homecoming Queen and King, rather individual students self -nominate or are nominated to run for Homecoming Queen or for Homecoming King.
“Students can nominate themselves or another student. One person is voted in by fellow students to represent female students at Homecoming and one male student is voted in by the students to represent the boys.
“Who that female and male student is, is up to the student vote.”
Earlier this month two transgender teenagers were voted by their peers as homecoming royalty.
