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News & ArtsMonday, October 31, 2011
LGBTQITSLFA Lesbian Couple Crowned Homecoming King & Queen at High School in California
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Two California high school students became one of the first lesbian couples crowned homecoming king and queen in the nation this weekend. Rebeca Arellano, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, was made the school's first female homecoming king when her name was announced Friday at a pep rally. "They were chanting my name and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had," said Arellano. Arellano's girlfriend, Haileigh Adams, who also attends Patrick Henry High School, was made homecoming queen at Saturday night's dance. "I was happier than when I won, my little Haileigh has just been announced Homecoming queen and I couldn't feel happier! Thanks to every single one of you! You guys made this happen and we are all part of something huge. I can't fully express how grateful I am. I am in completely shocked that this happen. My girl looks absolutely flawless," wrote Arellano on Facebook Saturday night.
It's not all bad news out there for LGBT youth. The bullies may dominate the headlines but there are a lot of great kids out there—queer kids and straight kids—who are proving that things are, in fact, getting better. Video here. Via JMG.
7
High school kids are far less homophobic than adults. They've been raised in the era of Will & Grace, and just accept gay people as normal.
9
"The bullies may dominate the headlines" because the psycho prick who is writing the headlines scours the world for incidents and creates them when no actual scandals happen.
Danny, what is the latest on the ACLU suit against Alice HS for the way they terribly bullied and persecuted that poor dear Kissing Cheerleader?
nada?
....we bet you don't clean it up when your dog shits in the neighbors' yard, either....
Danny, what is the latest on the ACLU suit against Alice HS for the way they terribly bullied and persecuted that poor dear Kissing Cheerleader?
nada?
....we bet you don't clean it up when your dog shits in the neighbors' yard, either....
10
Both girls are completely gorgeous. I know it shouldn't matter, but they make a great-looking couple aside from being a historical first for the school.
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Arellano also posted a dead-on statement to her Facebook page addressing the bigots who were upset.
"For all the girls who think tradition should be continued, go back to the kitchen, stop having sex before you're married, get out of school and job system, don't have an opinion, don't own any property, give up the right to marry who you love, don't vote, and allow your husband to do whatever he pleases to you. Think about the meaning of tradition when you use it in your argument against us."
Too early to have her run for congress?
"For all the girls who think tradition should be continued, go back to the kitchen, stop having sex before you're married, get out of school and job system, don't have an opinion, don't own any property, give up the right to marry who you love, don't vote, and allow your husband to do whatever he pleases to you. Think about the meaning of tradition when you use it in your argument against us."
Too early to have her run for congress?
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@11: Yea, too early by about 8 years because you have to 25 for the US House, and 30 for the Senate. But in those eight years, how about City Council then Mayor or go for a State House seat? That would be good prep.
It was a very nice shut-the-fuck-up response but less vulgar and might even make a few in the middle stop and think.
It was a very nice shut-the-fuck-up response but less vulgar and might even make a few in the middle stop and think.
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Very sweet! And for the awesome win:
As for "how conservative" San Diego is, this is really a matter of location. PH High School is located in the more liberal area (generally speaking, the closer to downtown/Balboa Park, the more liberal; there are also factors involving relative wealth -- La Jolla despite its proximity to UCSD is pretty conservative. The further out you get, the more exclusive the communities are or the more rurally conservative they are. It doesn't surprise me at all that this high school hosted the first lesbian homecoming king/queen couple.
I think part of the confusion is that "San Diego" is often used interchangeably with "San Diego County" -- a far larger region with a lot more conservative elements...
Arellano posted a statement to those who opposed her on her Facebook wall that read: "For all the girls who think tradition should be continued, go back to the kitchen, stop having sex before you're married, get out of school and job system, don't have an opinion, don't own any property, give up the right to marry who you love, don't vote, and allow your husband to do whatever he pleases to you. Think about the meaning of tradition when you use it in your argument against us."
As for "how conservative" San Diego is, this is really a matter of location. PH High School is located in the more liberal area (generally speaking, the closer to downtown/Balboa Park, the more liberal; there are also factors involving relative wealth -- La Jolla despite its proximity to UCSD is pretty conservative. The further out you get, the more exclusive the communities are or the more rurally conservative they are. It doesn't surprise me at all that this high school hosted the first lesbian homecoming king/queen couple.
I think part of the confusion is that "San Diego" is often used interchangeably with "San Diego County" -- a far larger region with a lot more conservative elements...
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As you said in that interview, Dan, the illusion of the (far) left is that no progress has happened, that we're every bit as bigoted as we used to be, while the illusion of the (far) right is that all progress is bad, all change destabilizes and leads to decay. Stories like that remind us that neither opinion is right.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Can someone clarify something that was confusing in the news articles?
It sounded like the homecoming king and queen run as a couple. If that's the case, obviously an LGBT couple should be able to run (and hopefully win).
But running as a couple, straight or gay, sounds a bit odd. Maybe they are not all romantic couples but sometimes just friends? Otherwise it sounds a bit macabre, like we're going to make them have sex on television, or sacrifice them on an altar, or make them participate in the Hunger Games or something.
I may be reading too much into this...
It sounded like the homecoming king and queen run as a couple. If that's the case, obviously an LGBT couple should be able to run (and hopefully win).
But running as a couple, straight or gay, sounds a bit odd. Maybe they are not all romantic couples but sometimes just friends? Otherwise it sounds a bit macabre, like we're going to make them have sex on television, or sacrifice them on an altar, or make them participate in the Hunger Games or something.
I may be reading too much into this...
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What an inspiring, awesome, and adorable story. And, ahem, hellooo baby dyke jail bait. Where were all the smart, confident, smoking hot lesbians at my high school? I would have come out as a sophomore, too, if it meant dating a Rebeca Arellano. Damn.
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First, Elizabeth Warren. Now a high schooler. Women are doing an *incredible* job making the progressive case in a succinct, memorable fashion these days.
Thanks to #11 for posting the FB quote. #8, right there with ya.
Thanks to #11 for posting the FB quote. #8, right there with ya.
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Is it really necessary to have the most popular kids in highschool crowned and to chant their names? Why on Earth is this being done, did someone decide that the less attractive and popular kids don't have it hard enough?
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I question the academic excellence of the Patrick Henry High School that teaches a “King” can be a female. The students and faculty are confused about human anatomy L.O.L.
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This lesbian King and Queen can’t have children and if they adopt; their adopted child won’t have a good or a bad father, they will have NO FATHER---forever, how sad!
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The bottom line: A female “cannot” exhibit the male characteristics of what a king looks like or acts like. It would be just as ridicules to have a male (barren) Queen!
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These teenagers are desperately seeking public and peer acceptance of their lifestyles!!!
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Sincerely,
Arthur Trafford
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This lesbian King and Queen can’t have children and if they adopt; their adopted child won’t have a good or a bad father, they will have NO FATHER---forever, how sad!
-
The bottom line: A female “cannot” exhibit the male characteristics of what a king looks like or acts like. It would be just as ridicules to have a male (barren) Queen!
-
These teenagers are desperately seeking public and peer acceptance of their lifestyles!!!
-
Sincerely,
Arthur Trafford
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@27 I think he's busy filming his MTV show (based on what I've heard on his podcast - lots of traveling involved, fewer updates, and so on.
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NPR reported yesterday that the school has been getting hateful phone calls/emails. If we are willing to call the schools that discriminate against LGBT students, maybe it would be nice to send an email to the school voicing our support.
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More on the threats the couple has received:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/20…
Credit to the Superintendent of Schools for speaking out against the threats in no uncertain terms.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/20…
Credit to the Superintendent of Schools for speaking out against the threats in no uncertain terms.
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