NC Trans Feminine Student Denied Run For Homecoming Queen

When this 2018-19 school year kicked off, I was aware of the fact we have as of yet never had a Black trans feminine high school homecoming queen in the US.   We've had it happen several years ago on the Black trans masculine side.   

I was wondering where and when in the US this would happen, and believed that this would be the year that we'd ginally have a Black trans feminine teen attempt to do so

Interestingly enough, it's in the same state where the first Black trans homecoming king, the late Blake Brockington was crowned, North Carolina. 

Yep, the same state that tried to enshrine trans discrimination into the law.

That person stepping up to attempt to make that history attends Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, NC.    But she was initially denied the opportunity to run by her principal.

Meet Jack Britt High School senior Marquis Monroe.   The 17 year senior wanted to run for homecoming queen, and informed her principal of her desire to do so, only to be told no. 

She took to Twitter and Instagram to express her displeasure with the decision, stating, "I worked so hard to be comfortable with myself."  that post wen viral, getting support from her fellow students and shared.

When the local TV station came calling to find out why the principal opposed Monroe's request to run, Cumberland County Schools sent out this statement: 

"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."

Umm hmm.  Amazing how a viral post and a TV stations handling their news business will change a trans oppression situation into a trans empowerment one.. 

Now that the JBHS principal has seen the light, Monroe is now planning to run.  The homecoming queen will be crowned next weekend.

Here's hoping history will be made and after all this unnecessary drama, she makes that history.

Iconic Entertainer The Lady Chablis Dies

“I want people to remember, parents to remember, that when a child is born, it may possibly be someone like myself, so be prepared for things like that. If you don’t like it, just remember that great things can happen.”--Lady Chablis

Sad news to report out of Savannah, GA.  Several local TV stations and Club One are reporting that our trans sister Brenda Dale Knox, AKA The Lady Chablis, who gained fame during the 90's thanks to the 1994 book and 1997 movie Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil and her subsequent 1996 autobiography Hiding My Candy has died at age 59.

She passed away surrounded by family and friends at St Joseph's/Candler Hospital

I have an autographed copy of that book thanks to meeting her during our LGBT Derby party in Louisville in 2003.   She was one of the celebrity guests that was invited to attend along with the late Tammy Faye Bakker and Anna Nicole Smith, and when I spoke to her diminutive self she was impressed by my average for a supermodel height.

When I whipped my copy of Hiding My Candy out of my purse and asked her to autograph it, she cheerfully did so while exclaiming "You made my day".

I replied, "You've made mine, too".   She really had, since the next day was my birthday.

She was born and raised in Quincy, Florida on March 11, 1957, and she's been making people's day as an entertainer since her debut at Savanaah's Club One in 1988.   In addition to briefly doing pageants and winning a few titles, she has raised thousands in campaigns for the American Diabetes Association and various LGBTQ charities,

She played herself in the Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil movie.   Her most recent TV appearance was on the Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2013, but has been in declining health lately.

The Grand Empress of Savannah has transitioned and she will be missed.  Rest in power and peace, sis.