October 7, 2013
NH High School Crowns Trans Student as Homecoming King
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Concord High School in New Hampshire made history this weekend when students crowned their first-ever transgender homecoming king. According to the Concord Monitor, 17-year-old Ray Ramsey won the student body vote and the crown.
"It's a big deal," Heather Oullette-Cygan, the adviser for the schools LGBT Tide Pride club, told the Monitor. "I think it means a lot for our school, it certainly means a lot for the kids in the club and even the LGBT students who aren't necessarily in the club."
Ramsey was the first transgender student nominated, although another male student from the club was named king several years ago.
Ramsey is a member of the marching band, involved in theater and does the morning announcements on Fridays. He's a self-described "music freak" who performs in school talent competitions and even sang "The Star Spangled Banner" before the homecoming game. Through it all, he never hides who he is.
"He doesn't fear any of the repercussions of being completely who he is, and that's one of the most inspirational things about him," said Anna Robert, the homecoming queen and Ramsey's good friend.
Ramsey told the Monitor that he has referred to himself as a 'boy-girl' since kindergarten, and has identified as "Ray" and asked to be referred to male pronouns since he entered high school. He said that his parents and schoolmates have supported his decision and were proud of his being crowned Homecoming King.
Vickie Henry, a senior staff attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, said that these victories mean a lot to forwarding transgender rights.
A few weeks ago, transgender teen Cassidy Lynn Campbell made national news when she was elected homecoming queen at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California.
"Showing these positive examples is just unbelievably valuable for the youth in the schools," said Henry.
Principal Gene Connolly, Ramsey's win shows the best of what Concord High is and can be.
"Kids here have a heart and they know what's right, and they love Ray and they support Ray," he said. "It's one of the things that really makes this school special."
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
