Fairfax High elects gay student prom queen, prompting discussion about gender roles

Sergio Garcia stood in the gymnasium and told the senior class at Fairfax High School not to worry: If he was elected, he wouldn’t wear a dress.

 “I will be wearing a suit,” Garcia said, “but don’t be fooled, deep down inside, I am a queen!” Garcia, 18, spent most of his years at Fairfax openly gay and wanting to be part of the prom court — but not as king.

He felt prom queen better suited his personality, so he decided to seek that crown, running against a handful of female classmates. He said it started as a bit of a stunt and challenge — he wasn’t sure the school would allow it — but that his campaign for queen ended up being serious and sparking dialogue about gender roles on campus.

A few days before the election each contender gave a short speech about why he or she deserved the crown.

“At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen,” Garcia told the crowd of seniors. "Things have changed and it’s no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes. Sure I’m not your typical prom queen candidate. There’s more to me than meets the eye.”

The audience erupted in applause after Garcia’s speech, and a group of his female friends spent the rest of the week wearing pink crowns and campaigning for him. On Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, wearing a charcoal-gray tuxedo and a black bow tie, he learned his class had elected him queen.

“I felt invincible,” Garcia said.

He’s among the first males in Southern California to take the coveted title generally owned by female beauties, and his election may be a signal of a new generation's intent to stretch traditional gender roles.

 “It just shows how open-minded our class is,” said Vanessa Lo, 18, the school’s senior class president. Lo said that she, like many students, had initially opposed the idea of Garcia running for prom queen.

But she said he “spoke with complete confidence” and carried himself in a way that made students believe he was serious, not a class clown or joker just trying to get attention.

“His speech was great,” remembered Unique Payne, 17, a senior who said she voted for Garcia. “I did it because I support the gay community,” she said.

While many students were supportive of Garcia’s run, others were upset and didn’t understand why Garcia chose to run for prom queen.

“I’m not really happy about that. He should’ve run for prom king,” said 17-year-old senior Juan Espinoza.

Espinoza said he has nothing against Garcia but believes many students voted as a joke so they could see the prom king dancing with another guy on prom night.

One member of the prom court also said she didn’t think it was right for a male to take the crown.

Garcia, who lives in Mid-City and is an aspiring choreographer and hairdresser, said he didn’t plan to run for prom queen until notices were posted around school. The qualifications didn’t include gender, and he said running for king didn’t quite feel right.

 “I didn’t really know if the school approved. I thought ‘Why can’t I do it?’ ” Garcia said. “I see myself as a boy with a different personality. ... I don’t wish to be a girl, I just wish to be myself.”

Some teachers and students were encouraging, while others told him not to “stir things up like that,” he said.

But his close friends continued to support him, and after his speech the campus community seemed to be coming around to the idea. Fairfax, located at the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax avenues, has often been at the forefront of the gay rights struggle.

It has a Gay-Straight Alliance student group and Project 10, an onsite support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth, was launched at Fairfax in 1984 after a social worker wanted to help an openly gay man who was harassed by other students.

The program has since been expanded to encompass all of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Project 10’s founder, Virginia Uribe, said she was encouraged by news of Garcia’s election. She said that, within the last two years, there have been similar elections at proms and homecoming courts in high schools and colleges around the nation. “I think that indicates where our society is right now.

"The young people, they are not involved in this whole argument about gay rights," Uribe said. "They think this whole fight is silly. They just accept people for who they are.

“Gender bending is just kind of in,” she said.

--Ari B. Bloomekatz

Photo: Sergio Garcia is crowed Fairfaix High prom queen. Credit: Courtesy of Sergio Garcia

Comments

[David Adler]

I believe that this is a good indication of where the next generation will take the prop. 8 measure. I applaud the students and teachers for their supporting everyone's right to participate.

[gaucho420]

How lame...I'm 100% for gay rights and gay marriage, but this is just stupid and yeah...clearly, people voted for him as a laugh more than anything.

It goes to show the real truth, in that Prom is worthless in this day & age...its a gaudy horse & pony show for high schools, that's well past worth anything.

Good for him and the class...but yeah, clearly done for laughs...this does nothing to promote gay rights, but rather, puts them in the "silly & unimportant" category.

[William]

Boy,I bet his family is real proud of it

[Hurrah]

Good for you Sergio!
If all the adults in California were as mature and open-minded as you and your classmates it would be a much nicer world.

[x-files]

very nice!!!

[Nathan O.]

Considering these prom pageants are student elected it reflects incredibly on our student’s tolerance for gays. The upcoming generation considerably differs from the current one in more ways then styles and tastes in music, but in values and ideologies.

[Daisey J. Miranda]

WOW!!!!!!! I am definitely impressed and content to see that my generation proves itself to be open minded once again!!!! And I definitely agree with Uribe we are not concerned about the differences we all have instead we see all as humans and treat each other with equality. Personally I think this says a lot about our generation... and I hope acceptance is something that continues to grow within the human race.

[cinnamongirl]

Bravo, students of Fairfax High! They have more sense than the California adults who voted in favor of Prop 8.

[savvydude]

This is the height of immaturity. Traditions do matter, except to the 'anything goes' segment. As these children grow up, they will see the folly in this action.

[Roman A]

Maybe I can enter my female monkey to prom queen, she is much better looking than that Male, self proclamed female. What a Joke! The end of Normal is over.

[2 cents]

"prompting discussion about gender roles" - surely you jest - prompting some snorts and laughs, yes - but discussion of gender roles? - seriously, Times, get a grip

[B Clemen]

@ Roman and savvydude
Wow, how old are you guys? Tradition? Folly? Immaturity?
Your statements are pathetic. Remember these young adults will be taking care of you in your old age.
Hopefully those same young adults who voted for a gay prom queen will also have the decency to pity old, outdated, and ignorant people like yourselves.

[David]

Funny how ALL you people here applaud this new generation.

This is the same generation that is dropping out of high school at a 50% rate. The same generation having babies as teens, the same with no morels or respect for other people and their property. The same who has also created tagging (plus on churches, art, Statues) and the same snorting (smarties) candies.

YAY, for this generation. Bunch of morons, that the US now has to import engineers from India and the likes.......

[EJP]

What a nice story. It's too bad it had to attract such hateful and boorish comments from some readers. Some of these old fossils just hate to see the world changing and exposing their prejudices for what they are. (I know about fossils, by the way, 'cause i'm almost 57 myself.)

I've raised my children to be free of homophobia, and it appears a lot of other parents have, too. So what was once something of a radical view has now become pretty mainstream, especially among younger people. Thank goodness.

[becky]

and thank god the "end of normal is over". normal is gross.

[Realties Last Stand]

Congrats to the young man and his progressive peers. If only the Miss California pageant was as inclusive. As a married straight male living in LA, I welcome a more tolerant generation coming of age. To my homophobic friends, I say get over yourselves, just admit you are fighting your own latent urges and stop taking it out on other people. Going to church and voting for prop 8 doesn't make you morally superior.

[JD]

The students are having a good laugh at everyone's expense, good for them...very traditional, when you think about it.

[Appalled]

And for everyone who said that homosexuality was not being taught to our children ... This is appalling !! Whats next?? Im sure the prom KING loved the King and Queen Dance!!!
Im not sure I agree with school administrators allowing this...
And do you honestly think this was done in seriousness?? Im sure there are tons of Fairfax high kids laughing their butts off right now!!!

[Kai-]

As a gay person who went to high school in SoCal in the 1960's I think this is just great. As a high school student I always felt that whole prom scene and homecoming queen scene was a bunch of baloney. I'm real proud of the students at Fairfax High. Goes to show that there is yet hope for today's generation. Good for you, kids!!!

[Thinking about what is important]

Let me surprise some of you by telling you the gay marriage issue and gay prom queen is a non-issue for this (evil) Red State Southern Baptist. Hey, I used to be a southern homophobic but no more. To me it is just yet another interesting and amusing story from the City of Angels.
Let me please explain, with maturity I’ve come to the realization that gays hurt no one any more than heterosexuals. Of course that excludes from this discussion those that recently went “flame” and disrupted church services in the northeast recently. Interesting method of winning friends to the cause btw. Anyway, I have decided that gay marriage cannot hurt me or mine so why would I stand in the way? Besides, historically and statistically these marriages self destruct at a predictable rate within months so if California can afford the drain on the court system dollars, good for them and the Terminator. No sweat off my back, right? Live and let live I say. Same for a man as a high school prom queen. For those students it will makes for a rather interesting discussion with your children over their year book someday down the road but my daughter or son is not affected so I would not raise any fuss.

Yes, this is very progressive thought. I feel so gay now. So free!
Best wishes and did anyone feel the earth rumble last night?

[Tyrone]

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; ... unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but ALSO GIVE HEARTY APPROVAL TO THOSE WHO PRACTICE THEM.

[Southern]

Everybody does stupid things when they are in High School. And they become adroit at defending their positions.
But someday they will grow up. Not that they will admit their folly.
They just won't talk about it.

How sad for the students that don't approve. ...But I know the modern answer.
"Screw Them" comes from the "tolerant" left.

[Elizabeth Purser]

To the gentleman who spoke of the terrible attributes of this generation of young people....I come from the generation of free love, LSD, communes, make love not war, long hair, short skirts,
black power, yippies, hippies, down with the establishment etc.
I live in the country that has gay marriage in every province , if you get caught with pot you get a ticket, gun control , national health care paid thru our taxes, a regulated banking system,
We have not all burned in hell... May the Prom Queen live a long and happy life. Hopefully one day the greatest country in the world will wake up and smell the roses

[dan]

Oh yea, my daddy was a prom queen!

[Thanks for the chuckle]

Well David, it won't be the gay students who are having babies, will it?

I agree they have no morels. What would they be doing with mushrooms in school anyway? (I prefer portobellas myself)

[MikePost]

I'm 67 years young and see that the students did not just vote for a laugh or joke, but seriously considered the "queens" speech as an appropriate representation of their values. Is it any wonder that younger voters overwhelming support gay civil rights?!

[vic]

I don't get it, why couldn't he be king? King and Queen refer to gender not what the sex of your sex partner is.
Its a great stunt and opens dialogue, but this is the same kind of stunts thats makes people vote for Prop 8.
You're a guy Sergio, you have a penis and testicles, you're a guy.
If you were transgendered or had some kind of gender identity issue I could understand you wanting to be queen. But you're gay, that's all. That's really not a big deal.

Big picture though, the equal marriage group needs to stop pulling stunts- Sergio being quenn is a stunt- and focus more on a coherent statement.

[ELy]

William,
I hope his family is proud to have a healthy positive spirited son. Why wouldn't they be?

If they aren't proud of him he should leave them as soon as he can and into a world where his outlook on life is embraced.

[trajan]

What! a guy has a prom queen? Did the kids just take over the school or what? Fairfax High has lost it. These kids are supposed to be learning how the natural world works. Instead they are learning how to go against nature and how to warp nature to fit their immature desires. This has got to have a negative effect on kids, especially the boys who cant even experience a prom the way it is supposed to be experienced.

[iamsiam]

@David

"morels" are mushrooms.

[Joe]

Simply disgusting.A tale of perverts and their admirers.California...what a degenerate place!

[suzie]

This makes me so happy to read, especially after Prop 8's re-passing. I think we should congratulate both Sergio and Fairfax High for possessing more class and acceptance than the majority of California.

[Pam]

Good. I love the negative comments because it just shows how ignorant and mean-spirited those people are. Congrats to Fairfax High and to the new Prom Queen! In just a few years, you homophobes out there will be considered as boorish as the pro-segregation morons. Well, I consider you backwards and boorish right now! Too bad for you you're so frightened inside...you are going to lose and love and a sense of humor and respect for other people will win. So grumble while you can dinosaur.

[Ryan]

I'm 31 years old and I think this is sick. I'm getting so sick of the gay agenda. Gays are perverts and should not be given the time of day. It is a sickness that should be treated. As for the kids at Fairfax high school...we have messed up this younger generation.

[beatriz]

Yay good for him! I am happy that he won, and for everyone else that disagrees just shut up haha. I hope that one day everyone can just respect everyone elses lives and let them be.

[Mario Peregrino]

Having attended Fairfax High, I am proud to know that the tradition of inclusion of lgbt folks on its school campus continues. Mad props to this guy for having the courage to embrace his gender so fiercely.

[Loyda Betancourt]

omg. people can be so ignorant. this is a new millennium. He did this because its what made him happy doing. i voted for him because i knew its what he wanted and he won over the crowd because he was real and truthful and expressed himself on how he felt. i was there when he made his speech and it was a very convincing speech. people just need to be more open minded
GO SERGIO!!! i am proud of u!!!

[yeah822right]

I am a student at Fairfax High, and trust me, the students who voted for him wanted to see the outcome, for better or for worst, not taking a side.
Students who did not go to prom but heard this weren't surprised, they knew he was going to win, especially since the winner, along with his supporters seemed to stand out from the crowd.
I can't believe how ignorant many students there are in the school I attend, and these students where who composed most of the gay candidate's votes.
Blame LAUSD, with their cuts on education and teacher layoffs.
But back to the matter, sure a gay student won prom queen at our school, but that shouldn't signify what our generation will do in the future, and how society might change for or against the benefit of gay right's. We're still teenagers, and we change our minds, we regret what we did yesterday or what we did just an instant ago.
Long story short, I don't want to say that our generation, and specifically saying, Fairfax students are ignorant, but that our present actions don't necessarily signify what we will do in the future.
So those saying that this is a good indication of what we'll be doing in support of gay right's or those calling us completely stupid and childish, go talk about something else, because you might not even be actively campaigning for the side you "seem" to support. Instead go watch the basketball game, I'll bet that's what we're going to be talking about in school tomorrow.

[Matthew]

Stories like this are so uplifting. I'm in my 20s and even when I was in high school this wouldn't have happened. Say what you want about these kids, quote your bible all you want, but these kids are actually a lot closer to the spirit of Christ than any one of you bible thumping ignorant fossils. Whether you believe in the bible or not doesn't matter. Christ was the best civil rights leader the world has ever seen. These kids get it. They understand that people are people.

The real problem is fear. That's why all you fundies come out swinging when you hear a story like this. It's the last dying gasp of desperation before you're exposed for the hateful bigots you are.

You can ignore me and every other gay person on the planet and you feel safe because we're a minority and any argument we make in our defense goes right over your heads because you believe we're subhuman and deserve nothing. It's our heterosexual allies that make you nervous.

The people, like these kids, who have absolutely no personal stake in this fight. You see your fellow heterosexuals standing up for equality and you can't explain them away with your biased dogma. You look at us and you believe yourselves to be superior. You look at them and your sad, homophobic little agenda is thrown right back at you.

[denise]

All of the rants over differences and change - get over it people, this new generation has spoken despite if it is politically correct or not !!!!

As a former prom queen, I was a bit surprised at the headlines but then again, the people voted so what is the controversy.

Besides, why would Sergio even consider running for prom king when his heart says he is a queen - work it Serg and keep doing and being your beautiful self. :-)

[grant]

i am very very proud of sergio and as you can tell by some of the hateful comments, the gays are still a group that people feel very comfortable bashing. and those are the people promoting "normal". i hope hate is never normal. this is a beautiful story about someone who has the guts to be exactly what god created him to be.

[MartyK]

This kind of stunt is not going to make people support prop 8. Instead it plays into the fears that supporters of prop 8 already have: namely, that the homosexual community is attacking their way of life. Think about it. This kind of thing is not "I'm just being me...let me live my life in peace." Once again the gay cause has needlessly gone after the language of heterosexuality to destroy the traditions it represents. And then we cry out for tolerance?

Honestly I think I most people who voted for prop 8 wouldn't think twice about gay behavior or relationships if the the gay community wasn't engaging in such dramatic behavior. Stop making a spectacle of yourself and you'll see how tolerant people can really be.

I have no problem whatsoever with this guy being king of his prom. I have no problem with a gay king. But what is a queen? A female sovereign. It's just dumb to pretend it means something else. It's not clever. It's actually a mean spirited attack on heterosexual traditions to get attention.

Students and other supporters of this silliness like to tell themselves they are tolerant and pat themselves on the back for their enlightened view, but you are confusing "tolerance" with "indifference."

[elecks.]

This is very interesting... wonder what is going to happen for other high schools. This is about gender roles not gay-marriage. get over it already.

[Mike]

"Posted by: beatriz | May 27, 2009 at 05:40 PM

Yay good for him! I am happy that he won, and for everyone else that disagrees just shut up haha. I hope that one day everyone can just respect everyone elses lives and let them be."

That pretty much sums up the world we live in now. We must respect everyone but if you have a different opinion than me just shut up.

[Kate Steffens]

Back in 1997, my class at LA County High School for the Arts had a male prom queen and a female prom king. No real fuss was made, so I find it interesting to see that many people seem to have not progressed in their attitudes toward gays since then. Shame on anyone who wants to deny any form of equal rights, be it racial or sexual.

[JT Taylor]

Dumbasses! Gay agenda will destroy America quicker than any other stupid agenda that the Nut Left-wing will come up with. Fairfax High I am laughing at you!!!!

[Obama]

what a cheap way for these little kids to get people to look at them...look at me....look at me....look at me...morons !!!!!...grow up.....

[G Will]

Nice...Rewarding yet another person who is defined by what he has sex with. And in High school yet. Ancient Rome would be proud. Marrage should be between a Man and a what-ever, how many, 2 legs, 4 legs, Brother, sister, mother. It's not fair for you to judge. But man - o man we are gonna need about a dozen different rest rooms in LA. a-sliding -we-go

[diana]

really? this is news? the media is so consumed w/ their agenda. sigh

[jayteereal]

This is so sick, and I wish that the gay community will stop trying to force their agenda on us and down our throats, then get mad because we don't see it their way. That's why the majority doesn't support their agenda, and we'll keep voting YES!! on Prop 8 again, again, and again. Say what you want, and do what you want, but don't try and say this generation likes this type of mess. God made Adam to be with Eve, not Adam to be with Steve, or Eve to be with Eva. YES on 8

[Cris]

ENOUGH w/ POLITICAL ANTICS!

Why didn't he run for Prom "KING" and let the girls run for Prom Queen.

Californians are SICK OF POLITICAL ANTICS!

[jayteereal]

I feel bad for the King when he look back at pictures later in life and his prom queen was a guy - How about they vote a girl to be their King, then she talks him into trading hats with her, I'm for that, then that'll squash the message they tried to put out there.

[Phid]

Is it coincidence that high school students vote for a male to be the "queen" at a time when American students' test scores continue their downward trend? This is what happens with years of liberal indoctrination - students don't learn the basics of education, but they can take a stand for "diversity"!

And have the liberals realized yet that there will presumably be a male king and male queen, meaning that WOMEN HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED from the upper ranks? You're tearing down one wall as you build up another...

[Cali Dude]

Now that we have removed the special right to the enjoy a night as Queen form our young ladies what will be next will we now make it impossible for any gender based title to exist? If this keeps up you will all be known as M. sombody not Mr. not Mrs. not MS. because the whole idea that you might want to know the sex of the person being discussed is going to be wrong. Of course the title is important to the young ladies who so much wanted to earn that happy memory. Of course the title has less value now that this foolishnes has been done. How much less value is debatable and debate ot we shall for the moment. The moment will pass because it really is just another joke and if you can't laugh then the joke will be on you.

[ewwwww]

We are sooooo screwed.

[ewwwww]

Funny how only the lunitic negitive comments are left up, and those that make a point are removed, manipulating societys thoughts. Goebbles would be proud.

[Kelly]

This crap makes me sick! The students in this High School are being brainwashed by the Pelosi-Boxer types in California. Evidently, Miss California did not go to this school. King=male, Queen=female. Thank God I live in the Midwest. Wake up California!!!!!!!!!!!

[mochachip22]

He should have run for King on the same values that he ran for Queen. Couldn't he have changed the "feeling" of being King if he was nominated and won.

Maybe all schools should make three categories, KINGS QUEENS and FOOLS.

No disrespect intended....but now the gays want to take away from the straight women..so not fair! Man the girls who ran against him are going to need some xanax, ya grandaughter, I was nominated for queen butI lost to a DUDE!

[karl anglin]

Where was Perez hilton?

[rosie]

I'm all for sexual equality, but "queen" refers to female, "king" is male! Dad is male, mom is female, sister is female, brother is male, aunt-female, uncle-male!! Duh!! If he wanted to be royalty in the prom activity, then be a gay-king! No matter how hard I try, not that I would, I can't be dad. I'm "mom" because I'm female. It's ridiculous!!

[Ex-Californian]

Just because you like men sexually doesn't mean that you are a woman. I think that this is wrong on so many levels. HE should have run under the male category. Please stop the insanity!

[Dee]

I think this is so Disturbing… I would be so humiliated if I was the girl runner up.. It’s like why didn’t they just have three sets
winners 1. Queen/King 2. Queen/Queen and King/King.. I’m
pretty sure they would have been a lot of candidates
after all the high school is in HOLLYWOOD…..

[Richard Rice]

Issues of power, gender and sexuality, will probably never be resolved.

In 1976, at San Fernando High School, I too ran for homecoming queen. At the time, the homecoming king was whomever happened to be the queen's date. It was also a time when gender equality was a national issue. I didn't think it was fair that only the women in school could run for the position and get all the benefits that went with it. So I found several supportive teachers to sponsor me for queen.

When the school realized I was serious, they got a little nervous. They ask that if they created a homecoming king position would I consider running for that instead. I did. I didn't win, but did have a good time stirring things up for the school. It was the start of a tradition at SFHS of electing both a homecoming queen and king.

[NewsHound]

I almost said that this does not say much for the femailes of that school......but actually it DOES.
Began with a self check.

[marxcoolio]

for this story to be better, the prom king, should be a lesbian!

[JARHEAD73]

This is preposterous the school should have put a stop to this absurd idea in the beginning. Why deliberately do something like this? Because of his sexual preference he thinks he is, a better queen is outlandish. The message that is being sent is very disturbing to me as a parent. That society today will glorify homosexuals and put their troubles as headline news. However, try to pray in school and you are shut down so fast your head will spin. This has to stop; heterosexual people need to start speaking up about this without fear of reprisal or being labeled homophobic. A plight I know all too well as a result of speaking my mind against the inanity of the homosexual community.

[amber]

What should it matter what he ran for?! He believed in himself enough to do it, to stand out in a place thats not the easiest! Come on people just get with it!! Gay people have their rights just as much as a straight person!! If you cant accept the fact he is who he is turn off your internet! And as for the people who say dad=male mom=female GET A DAMN LIFE!!!!!! two males can be a parent an two females can as well! Im proud to say this kid is the future of the us he atleast has the brains an guts to stand up for himself! Not many people would do that!

[alf]

i'm all in favor of equality, we should be free to love whomever we want and even marry whomever we want, but this just went too far. I don't think we have to re-write history here, are we getting to the point where we won't have genders anymore so we don't offend anybody? No more man or women? Then what??? I understand highschool students are very easily influenced by trends, but why do we have to change for one single whim! A man is still a man and a woman is still a woman even if you're gay or straight why are we confusing that? What about the girls that also dream of being prom queens? I guess being straight is wrong now.

[Kenny]

So amusing that so many people get so worked up about a HIGH SCHOOL DANCE!!! Yet, more amusing that high school students show, once again, that they are more open-minded and less rigidly ensconced in narrow-minded definitions than their elders. I'm glad to say that someday they will rule the world.

[laur]

I am so sorry for the voted-boy-king and
even more sorry for voted-boy queen (they just made fun of him-her).

“It just shows how open-minded our class is,” said Vanessa Lo, 18, the school’s senior class president.

“His speech was great,” remembered Unique Payne, 17, a senior who said she voted for Garcia. “I did it because I support the gay community,” she said.

you girls are both desperate to be talked about.
you picked the wrong issue.
your school is sick and your principal is sick to allow to insult the "voted king" and all gays community.

It has nothing to do with being gay suporter or being
"open-minded". You just have a big hole in your head,
you are open headed.

YOU CAN USE CRAZY GLUE AND BIG CAN OF CEMENT TO CLOSE THAT HOLE.
shame on you, all

[iamsiam]

I find it funny that some of the readers take this so seriously. It's just high school kids having fun.

@Kelly Instead of whining about teenagers that live thousands of miles away from you, focus on your own issues...that should keep you busy for a long time.

I wonder if these same individuals would feel so strongly if the guy was being verbally harassed and called a 'queen'. I'm guessing it would be fine in that case because he's being put in his place then.

[Concerned for America]

This saddens me. Our nation was built on freedoms that protect this type of demeaning act. However, even though our founding fathers willingly gave up their lives and property to establish what we still enjoy today, I'm absolutely certain that they would not approve of how their beliefs have been misused to pave the way towards trying to justify such depraved, self-destructive ideas and actions. Our country needs to turn its face away from such darkness as this instead of being so quick to approve it. We need to once again embrace the Light that this country WAS built on.

[anthony]

What bathroom does IT use Or are they unisex at this "school"? No wonder your State is BROKE. Have a nice Prom,Doozies!

[Rick]

Hmmmm... let's see if I have this "straight". Vote against gay marriage because it will effect our schools and children. Well Prop 8 won didn't it? The voters spoke didn't they?

Well your kids you are so worried about and trying so hard to protect obviously do not share your bigotted opinions. Times change and people do too.

[anthony]

Hey Elizabeth: Tou haven't burned in Hell yet but keep on truckin' down this road and I'm sure something can be arranged by the Almighty. YOU DITZ!

[Liberal 2009]

Being open minded does not always constitute what is right or wrong. Yes it might be nice to see our generation being more accepting of different lifestyles, but it is prom QUEEN. By definition, a queen is a female. Moreover, what kind of whacked out group of voters thought it might be a good idea to elect an effeminate male as their queen?

This is not a good thing for our society. We are teaching men to be women and vice versa. The whole gender issue needs to be put to rest. Man and woman! Thats it! We would not have the human race without that combo!

[saavedra]

Hip Hip Hurray. Yeah!!!! Applause. way to go. I am a straight mother of 4...and I think this is great. People need to stop passing judgement. Live and let live. I bet this guy is nicer than any prom Queen- Bee elected in the past. Yeah way to go L.A

[Eve]

I Live In California where we are over run by gays and illegals. We have Pelosi and Boxers Of California, who want to speak for all Californians for Gay rights, and amnesty for all illegals. I was born and raised in California, and I'm so sick and tired of these issues being thrown in my face. Gay people choose to be what they are, and illegals obviously don't understand being illegal means you have no rights. if gay people want to be gay FiNE, just don't push it down everyone throat.Especially mine.I voted for traditional marriage.The BIBLE Has nothing in it about gays.If God made gays. he would have made them fit together.Like a man and woman fit together. That's why we can create life.It's like an ELECTRICAL SOCKET, ONE IS MALE AND THE OTHER IS FEMALE. IF IT WAS THE SAME WE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY POWER IN OUR POWER CORDS.NOTHING WOULD WORK.If your happy who you are and Love who u want just be happy.Don't push your right on me that's morally wrong. That is my right as an AMERICAN.( FREE SPEACH )

[Jeff Chang]

I really think it kind of funny that all the negative comments are mostly about how a girl can't be queen because he won or a man should not be running for Prom Queen.

What we are forgetting is that he won a democratic election. Just as Prop. 8 supporters argue Majority Rules! funny how fast they moan and complain when the "majority" doesn't vote their way.

All Yes on 8 voters should support this child because like they say Majority Rules. And how dare you defile the democratic process if you disagree.

[G.R. Scholl]

I attended high school in southern California. Respect, patriotism and gender roles were well defined and accepted as normal. I have taught in the public school system in the midwest for 40 years as a classroom teacher and administrator. The consequences of such abnormal adolescent behavior will certainly make the memory of this event ridiculous. Maturity and experience will cause the Class of 2009 to think of themselves as having low self-esteem. The next generation will hopefully make amends for this foolish choice. Miss America has a better self-concept and better opinion of normal parenting.

[Rene Rivers]

I love it. If a majority wants to deny gay people the title of marriage, that's ok. However if a majority wants to elect a male prom queen, that's unacceptable.

Thankfully today's youth aren't close minded like today's adults.

[Timray]

i showed this story to my grand children......the reaction was they would have voted for him too.....the sadness was that to them it was a joke.....i am afraid the liberals missed this one....there is a difference between laughed with and being laughed at.....they were laughing at him.....sad

[Peter]

This type of grandstanding actually hurts the gay community. An all male couple as "Kings", or an all female couple as "Queens" fits into the current struggle for gay marriage.

Having a man elected as "Queen", is as absurd as having the husband of the first female President of the United States referred to as the First Lady.

I appreciate the efforts made by many gay people to obtain equal rights and recognition in society. This type of foolishness just panders to those that smile at each other and say, "oh, he is one of them".

[Steve P.]

Does anyone know how the Prom King felt about this situation?

[zeus]

This is WRONG.. Defeats the purpose of having a King and a Queen..... I wonder how pissed the prom king was... "How whack, I have to dance, take pictures, go on stage, etc.... with a gay guy???" Yeah, it's open minded, but cmon... seriously? I just think those kids think it's "cool or trendy" to be homosexuals.

[FortheRight]

Leave it to some wacko in California for something like this. It is perverted and unbelievable. I am disgusted to my core. It just goes to show how far down hill our country is going. The young people have been decieved by the likes of MTV and the liberal media to see this as no big deal. Well, it is a big deal. What is wrong with the department of education for allowing this to happen? Oh, I know the board is probally a majority of homos. It is just wrong. A prom queen is and always should be a girl. Even though he is a homo he could still have tried to be the prom king.

[FortheRight]

The term I hear so often when someone thinks homosexuals are perverts is, homophobic. phobic refers to fear, I'm not afraid of them they just disjust me. I have a right to my opinion just as they have a right to theirs. And most of you liberals may say I'm intolorent, when in fact it is you who are intolerent when your views are disapproved of. I could care less what you perverts do behind closed doors. But stop trying to push your mental illness on people as being normal. God did not make you that way it is behavior that you choose. Look around nature at the mammals, ever seen a male gorilla or chimpanze (our closest DNA match) mounting or orally pleasing another of the same gender?

[susieQ]

Wow...how stupid you people are to think that they voted for diversity reasons. They voted to make a joke out of him and all he stands for! So hahaha to you, your the butt of the joke and don't even realize it. King=male Queen=female ...no matter what your sexual preference you're either male or female. Pretty soon there will be a "prop K" on the ballot trying to change our gender! Marriage is between a man and a woman, always has been the definition of a marriage. If you want to change the definition (ie a man and a man or a woman and a woman) then come up with another name for it...how about Garriage! Stop violating my civil rigths!

[Paul Smith]

You Go Sergio!!!!
I think it's FANTASTIC to see the younger generation of America finally taking control of their own minds & not being brainwashed by the views of religious extremists! Hopefully oneday (very soon!) hate crimes will be on the decline in your country & the younger generation will teach their children equality & acceptance for all walks of life!
All the best from Perth Australia!!!

[Not it]

Lovely....Hurrah's post earlier "Good for you Sergio!
If all the adults in California were as mature and open-minded as you and your classmates it would be a much nicer world."

I think what Hurrah means, is that if all the adults in CA were like you, then the population problem would be non existent.

I am still waiting on the Hetero Missionary Style Float in the next Parade...sign me up! If just who or how you have sex with gets you a parade...or makes you a "queen", then us wacky heterosexuals should have a sexual style parade too.

[Gio]

I see by the negative comments here the U.S. of A. is still narrow minded hypocrites! Get a grip, who cares and good luck to him. Life is so precious in this unstable world of ours. At least he is not out there killing or hurting people. Isn't it time civilizations stopped this stone throwing and focus within? Stop the hate!!!!!!

[Paco]

YOU GO SERGIO..As A LESBIAN School Bus Driver for L.A.U.S.D all I have to say is you can ride on my Bus anytime

[Mark Hernandez]

Hey, you all did great. I was one of the orginal students in 1986 - 1987, at San Gabriel High School in California, to join Project 10. Project 10's founder, Virginia Uribe, helped our Ms. K. and the Dean of boys there to form the second Project 10 after your schools. Its good to see that things are going better in schools now at days to openess and just being who you are. Enjoy your time there in school. It goes so quickly. I am proud to say I am a Project 10 alumni and I turned out to be a pretty cool gay guy, thanks to wonderful teachers and other gay and straight students.

[toby]

It was stupid because the prom queen is supposed to be the most beautiful girl and this guy does not even look like a girl. He is not transexual either to be a queen

[Tim]

I find it disgusting . This is one of teh last remaining things that our high schools stand for
Long live the beautiful girls of high school
Go back to your closet

[Jake T]

If high schools choose to continue to officially sanction "prom king and queen" competitions, than they should expect this kind of result.

Perhaps we should revisit whether high schools should be in the business of running sexual desirability contests.

[TXSarge]

Yep..just one more example of the deterioration of society and the Sheeple that applaud it's destruction. Just one more educational institution that has marginalized itself in the name of Political Correctness. All of you saying 'Good Job!' are nothing more than agents to the destruction of this country. You've thrown morals out the window and now you've begun the poisoning of the next generation.

You folks better learn to pray because you are going to need it.

[Jason Virgo]

well done - NOW WE NEED YOU HIM TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT!

[Jason Elmsford]

As a gay man, I find this election farcical. There's nothing cool, rebellious, original, newsworthy, or meaningful about a male taking on a female role or wearing a tiara. It's tired and lame. The LA school district should be ashamed of itself for permitting its teenagers to be spectacles in the public eye.

[Lisa]

WAY TO GO SERGIO!!!!!! GOOD FOR YOU. IT'S ABOUT TIME SOMEONE STOOD UP AND BELEIVED IN WHAT HE WAS DOING AND IN WHO HE IS. SERGIO IS AN INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE. I'M PROUD OF HIM.