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| Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog |
Good news from the GLBT community this month: Andrew Gomez, a female to male transgender student, was elected homecoming king at Pasadena City College. He is the first transgender student elected to that office at PCC.
The homecoming committee initially denied Gomez’s application for homecoming court. The committee cited his piercings and, said Associated Students of PCC (ASPCC) Vice President for Public Relations Adam Kratt, was wary of his sexual identity. “In his personal statement, he stated that he wanted to show, by his example, that other LGBT youth could participate in campus activities,” said Kratt. “The committee saw it as an ulterior motive."
But since another candidate had piercings and, you know, discrimination is wrong, the committee reversed its decision. Gomez was allowed to participate on the court and was eventually elected by the student body as homecoming king.
ASPCC is also moving forward to create gender neutral bathrooms on campus, following reports of the harassment of a transgender student.
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Second of all - since when is setting an example for other GLBT students a "ulterior motive"? Are you supposed to want to be homecoming king just because its a super fun opportunity to prance on stage?
If I were on the committee that had made that decision in the first place I would be mortified.
The best part about this is that the student body at PCC is tolerant and supportive of their peers. I can only hope that this attitude will spread and replace the rash of hate crimes we've been seeing on campus lately. Like this one at Georgetown - Link
I have had the honor to be Andrew's friend for 3 years now. I have been impressed with his growth as a person and his strength of character.
When we on the Associated Students heard about the Homecoming Committees decision we immediatly started an investigation and were preparing to remove our support for Homecoming when the committee was pursuaded to change it's decision
I am rpoud that Andrew was allowed to run on the court and that he was ultimatly elected as King.
But there is more to Andrew then merely being elected King. It is true that the student body stood up and yelled their affirmation and acceptance of Andrew.
But andrew is an amazing person, Not only does he work full time but is a full time student. Andrew is currently the President for the United Rainbow Alliance (LGBT club). But he has also served in the Interclub Council for 3 years and was the Vice Chair of the Interclub Council last year. Andrew is also a Member of Omicron Mu Delta. He has also been involved with Students for Social Justice. He has also interned in the Cross Cultural center and was a facilitator at the Leadership Retreat in 2006 and the Cross Cultural Retreat in 2007.
Andrew is a King.. and he is a wonderful and active memberr of society..
Adam Michael Kratt
Vice President for Public Relations
Associated Students of Pasadena City College