Lesbian Elected Homecoming King At Md. College

[BR_Parkway]

http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/7738211/detail.html

FREDERICK, Md. -- Hood College is reviewing its homecoming rules after a lesbian was crowned king, a college official says.

But Jennifer Jones, the 21-year-old senior who beat out three men for the honor, says her victory last month was a plus for the private liberal-arts college.

"It is cool that Hood allows people to be themselves," Jones, of Newark, Del., told The Frederick News-Post. "If people didn't want me to be king, they wouldn't have nominated me and voted for me."

<snip>

Sophomore Jovanni Mahonez, who chaired this year's committee, said that before the ballots were distributed, she told both Miller and Olivia White, dean of students, that Jones was a king candidate.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. What I don't understand is...

Why a woman would feel proud to be elected king.

If I, as a gay man, were to run in such a popularity contest, I would rather be king than queen; after all, I want to have sex with men, not be a woman. Or maybe I'm just old and out of touch :shrug:

[readmoreoften]

2. butches and queens have been part of our community for a long time.

It's just basic queer history. I'd rather be a queen and I'd rather my girlfriend be a king. It's nothing new. It's just something that was forced out of fashion. I'd never date a femme woman. I just have no interest.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. I understand the history and all that

I just don't understand why it is such a big deal, that's all. Can an openly gay woman run for homecoming queen? Would it be newsworthy if she won? What about a gay man who ran for and won king?

We can't all bend gender rules; that would be too... ahem conformist. :hi:

[readmoreoften]

4. Well, I think it's probably a challenge to the institution.

We're excluded from most school social insitutions. How would a non-feminine lesbian compete for the title of homecoming queen? She'd never win. But, hmmm, as a king...why not! Hell, if I was paying what some of these kids were paying in tuition, I'd demand my part in school culture as well.

It's not really a matter of bending all gender rules. It's a matter of finding a place in the world for yourself. And, apparently, that place is on a mock throne with a mock king's crown. I know how beaten down a lot of butches are. I say kudos to her, pass the scepter! :)

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. Ok, I'll go with that

Thanks for the response :pals:

[Meldread]

5. I think everyone is overlooking one simple fact...

...and that fact is that the students elected to put her on the ballot for king, and then subsequently voted for her so that she could become king. Obviously, it was the will of the majority of the student body.

The gender issue is moot provided males can also be voted to be placed on the ballot as homecoming queens. This gives both sexes an equal opportunity to become either king or queen. Although, I'd say "the Queens" or "the Kings" or reverse the titles if a female became King and a male became Queen. Simply to avoid people using the ballot to harass other students, mostly males, by electing them as "Queens". (Yes, there are plenty of bigots out there who would do something like that. Unfortunately in addition to lacking humanity, they also lack creativity.)