Trans-femme teen voted prom king says school 'does not support' her after backlash

A trans-femme student in Cleveland, Georgia was voted prom king and a cisgender female student was voted prom queen. The pair posed for photos and the trans student later posted a supportive message, saying backlash was drawing attention away from the other student. A school superintendent sent a letter to the community stating the prom court crowning did not change the school’s mission or priorities and emphasized student safety, academic excellence, character development, and responsible citizenship. The letter also said the school had a legal and ethical responsibility to treat every student with dignity and respect. The trans student later claimed the school did not support her, describing special provisions for restroom access due to missing accessible facilities.

"On 20 April, White County School Superintendent Jonathan Stribling wrote a letter to the local community, saying the prom court crowning "do not represent a shift in the mission, values, or educational priorities of White County Schools". Polangco-Kenney was voted prom king, while Katie Nanney, who is cisgender female, was voted prom queen. The duo posed happily for photos in their crowns, and Polangco-Kenney later spoke in an Instagram video to show support for Nanney, saying the backlash was taking attention away from her."

"The school's letter said: "Our system is not promoting any political or social agenda. Our focus remains where it has always been - on student safety, academic excellence, character development, and preparing young people for responsible citizenship." It continued to say the school also has a "legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that every student is treated with dignity and respect", which they were "committed to upholding"."

"However, Polangco-Kenney responded, claiming the school does not support her. She said: "I had to get special provisions to even let me use a restroom because there's not an accessible restroom downstairs at the Performing Arts Center, which accessible restrooms are supposed to be a thing everyone.""

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