Students at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, CA have chosen a lesbian couple, seniors Rebeca Arellano as their homecoming king, and her girlfriend, Haileigh Adams to share the honor as queen, as reported on Monday, October 31, 2011 by the Associated Press, The Advocate, KGTV-TV, the Daily Mail, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and other global media sources.
Both women were crowned to the cheers of their classmates, who applauded the historic event, the first time that two females were chosen for such traditionally mixed gender roles, as seen in the slide show which accompanies this report.
San Diego Unified School District superintendent Bill Kowba spoke to the press late on Monday evening, supporting the student body's decision, and stressing that the district, which has received some hate mail and angry telephone calls protesting the action, rejects and opposes all forms of intolerance.
Mr. Kowba also underscored the fact that many of the complaints were coming from outside the area, and from persons who had never attended the high school.
"What is essentially disappointing is that adults who have contacted the school, many not even San Diego residents, are demonstrating such a lack of tolerance and such a negative role model for children with their hateful comments," Mr. Kowba said, adding that if the comments had come from students at the school, they would be facing disciplinary actions for bullying.
The couple was crowned on Friday, October 28, in a month designated for both lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history and bullying prevention.
A viewer poll conducted by KGTV 10News San Diego, the ABC television affiliate reflected the more conservative opinions of the larger San Diego community. It found that 50% of those who responded opposed the election results, while 40% supported it, with the remainder undecided.
Both Rebeca and Haileigh, who have been dating since their sophomore year in high school, expressed joy at the support of their teachers and peers, and seemed immune to the criticism that their honor had generated.
Ms. Adams told ABC News, "The fact that other people are feeling more confident about themselves or feeling like they might have a chance at doing this, it's opening doors."
After hearing of the decision by her classmates, Ms. Arellano expressed her appreciation to the cheering audience, saying "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 completely shocked that this happened," adding that one of her teachers told her, "Today school is a bit better because of you girls."
Not all the students felt so supportive. Some were unhappy that a girl had been given the title of "king". However, most thought that it was the right thing to do, and an expression of broader changing attitudes in society.
Ben Cartwright, who graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1998, said he thought this day would never come, saying as quoted by the Daily Mail, "Patrick Henry has always sort of been a little ahead of the curve, but I could not imagine this happening then."
Gay and lesbian groups across the United States and internationally praised the news, calling it a breakthrough. Comments found on web sites were overwhelmingly positive. One poster named Jessica writing from New Jersey, had some advice looking forward, saying "This might be sorted out if, in the future, students elected a Homecoming COUPLE. That would put an umbrella over it all, wouldn't it?"
San Diego is ranked as the eighth-largest-city in the United States with a population of 1,307,402. The city has a large military presence in which both gays and lesbians can now openly serve, after the recent abolishment of the service's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy.
The region has five Members of Congress representing it, currently three Republicans and two Democrats, including Brian Bilbray (R), Susan Davis (D), Bob Filner (D), Duncan Hunter (R), and Darrell Issa (R).
The city is also becoming more progressive and politically liberal, compared to more traditionally conservative attitudes.
Two of the candidates who are running in the City's 2012 Mayoral election are openly gay, including 59-year-old San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, and 36-year-old City Councilman Carl DeMaio, but so far it has not been an issue for voters because neither have made their sexual orientation a big talking point, according to The Associated Press.
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