Transgender student seeks homecoming crown

A Jack Britt High School student who was born assigned to the male gender but identifies as a female will be allowed to run for homecoming queen, school officials say.

Marquis Monroe, 17, said she plans to turn in paperwork on Friday to seek a spot on the school’s homecoming court. She said she was initially told she couldn’t participate.

Lindsay Whitley, a spokesman for Cumberland County Schools, said he couldn’t say much about the situation because of student privacy issues, but confirmed in a written statement that a student requested this week to take part in the homecoming court based on the student’s chosen gender preference.

“The principal initially said no, but upon further consideration, he is prepared to support the student’s request to participate, subject to parental approval, which is required for all participants,” Whitley said.

The school’s principal is Scott Pope, according to the school’s website.

Marquis, a senior, said other students and teachers had encouraged her when she talked about running for homecoming queen.

“I had a lot of support at the beginning,” she said. “Now, I have even more support.”

Marquis said she initially thought about leaving the school, but now feels like she can be a voice for other transgender students in similar situations.

“That made me want to keep going,” she said.

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Whitley said the school system has a policy regarding discrimination, but doesn’t have a specific policy related to gender identification and homecoming courts.

“The Cumberland County Schools values the diversity of students and strives to create a safe, welcoming environment to support student learning and provide equal access to educational programs and activities,” his statement said.

Marquis said the issue got a lot of attention when she posted about it on the social media site Instagram. People also noticed it on Twitter, she said.

Most people have offered support, but some Facebook users have reacted negatively, Marquis said.

“They have their beliefs, and they’re sticking to them,” she said. “That doesn’t bother me.”

Marquis said she’s happy that people closer to her age are supporting her.

“We’re the future,” she said. “That really matters.”

Marquis said the students at the school vote for the homecoming queen. Homecoming is Oct. 13, she said.

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.

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