Trans student in North Carolina voted prom queen
By Josh Lee
A high school in the home of the notorious anti-trans ‘bathroom bill’, that has cost North Carolina around $395 million, has crowned a transgender student as prom queen.
Selena Milian won the crown on October 21 at Overhills High School. Her win comes as North Carolina faces increasing pressure to repeal the transphobic HB2 bill, which makes it illegal for trans people to use the correct bathroom. The state has suffered a number of sporting and cultural boycotts, costing around $395 million.
Speaking to TransCafe, Selena said, “When I first came out as a freshman, I was not allowed to wear dresses. I’ve had to stand up for myself everyday and correct people in every part of my school.
“I was really depressed and had to go to therapy but transitioning gave me more confidence and then I became more involved in school activities, like plays and the modelling troupe I was in.
“This is a military-based town so it’s not always the most welcoming for trans people, but that hasn’t stopped me from being myself.”
Selena explained how YouTube allowed her to connect with other young trans people: “I had never hung out with another trans person in real life so I got a lot of help and support by watching videos on YouTube.”
She also used the opportunity to demand fairer representation of trans people. “Trans people exist and we are people,” she said.
“We are not recognised enough. They just think the typical Jerry Springer story – they think negative things. We are more than those stereotypes.”