Homecoming Queen, King Titles Nixed In Nod To LGBT Equality


Homecoming queen and king titles were two traditions at Oregon’s Ashland High School dating back to the 1950s, but the student body of Grizzly Nation has decided to make a change in a nod to LGBT equality.

Co-class presidents Brielle Preskenis and Jackson Richmond hatched the idea to eliminate the gender-specific titles in favor of a “Grizzly Royalty” or “Grizzly Court.”

According to a video posted to the school newspaper’s website, TheRogueNews, the move isn’t to cause controversy but to be more inclusive to LGBT students.

Here’s how it will work via Ashland Daily Tidings.

“Instead, the three seniors out of the 12-member senior court who receive the most votes by their peers will be honored as ‘Grizzly Royalty.’ Those three may be all boys, all girls or any combination of the two,” explains reporter Joe Zavala.

“The ceremony will still be held at halftime of the football game… but the sashes will be labeled ‘Grizzly Court’ and ‘Grizzly Royalty’ instead of king, queen, prince or princess.”

Preskenis and Richmond said they have received no negativity in person, though there have been a few negative comments on social media. Overall, however, the response to eliminating homecoming queen and king titles has been positive.

“People have been very supportive of the change, saying that it’s definitely something that needs to happen,” said Richmond in comments to the Ashland Daily Tidings.

Mimi Schaefer-Sharp writes on the school newspaper website that the decision is a positive one.

“We live in the 21 century where our customs and beliefs are constantly fluctuating,” she states. “Because of this, the entire school is welcomed to take a stand and reform the present while passing on new improvements to the generations to come. The goal is to achieve an inclusive environment where no one feels isolated because of their identity, whatever that identity is defined as. This is a great step and has the potential to create a progressive community and pave the path toward complete equity.”

What do you think, readers?

Have the students of Ashland High School shown wisdom beyond their years, or was there any harm in the title of homecoming queen and king?

Do you think that other schools should follow suit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

[Image via the Ashland High School website]

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