The announcement of Oak Park High School’s second transgender Homecoming Queen has caused quite a stir on social media. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the school’s decision has been met with both support and backlash.
As Tristan Young stands tall, it’s hard for her to believe that this moment is real. Just a few months ago, in April 2022, she started her transition journey, and now she feels empowered to face the world with her true self. Her determination and resilience have brought her to this point, where she can proudly stand as her authentic self.
As Young reminisced about the time when he stood in front of the student section, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the overwhelming support that he received. He recounted how he simply walked out and stood in his spot, facing the students, and was met with a deafening roar of cheers. The experience left him feeling humbled and deeply supported by those around him.
However, the crown was not without its share of negative feedback, as hurtful remarks flooded social media and protests were held outside of the school.
According to Young, people have talked behind their back throughout their entire life. However, the situation became even more real when the term “transgender Homecoming Queen” started trending on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Despite the difficulty in reading, Young managed to persevere with the help of her unwavering support system.
Young expressed that it was a strange experience for her to receive both negative and positive feedback. She was amazed to see people from her school that she had never talked to before, showing their support for her. On the other hand, some people were spreading hatred by commenting on her appearance, saying things like “she has a big nose” or “that’s a man” or “you stole that from a woman.” However, Young found these repetitive comments ignorant because these people did not know her personally.
Amidst the challenges that Young faced, she found a source of inspiration in Landon Patterson, a transgender woman who made history by being crowned Homecoming Queen at Oak Park in 2015. Patterson’s bravery and resilience in the face of adversity served as a guiding light for Young during this difficult time.
Patterson expressed a sense of satisfaction and reassurance, reflecting on the struggles he faced in 2015. Despite the persistent negativity, he found joy in seeing the unwavering support of her family and students. He firmly believes that love triumphs over hate.
In an interview, Young expressed her gratitude for the opportunity she has been given and vowed not to let the negativity affect her reign. “I am determined to stay true to myself,” she said. “Although it may not be a smooth journey, I understand that anything worth pursuing requires hard work and perseverance.” Her positive attitude and determination are truly inspiring.
According to a representative from the North Kansas City Schools, as reported by KCTV5:
According to the system in place, the students are the ones who get to decide who is going to be on the homecoming court. The process begins with the students nominating their preferred candidates and voting for the ones they believe will best represent their class. This year, our students have cast their ballots and chosen their King and Queen. The school and district then have the responsibility of upholding the students’ decision and honoring their voices.
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