Cassie Steiner: Ohio transgender student elected homecoming princess as cruel 'joke' takes proud stand
MARIEMONT, OHIO: A high school transgender student has turned people’s negativity towards her into her own good. It has been said that Cassie Steiner from Mariemont High School, who came out as transgender in 2021, was ecstatic when she found out that her classmates had chosen her as the homecoming princess but soon realized that it was a cruel prank.
Cassie said that she and her mother got a call from the school guidance counselor, who told them that it was an inappropriate joke by the students. Kat Steiner, the trans girl’s mother, told WLWT, “We understood that there may have been some mean-spirited voting going on behind the scenes. And as a parent, it just broke my heart.” But when Cassie was asked whether she wanted to refuse to take the title, she decided to proudly own it.
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She explained, “If I step down then there's nothing I'm getting out of it. There's nothing showing that I'm proud. If anything, hearing the negativity empowered me because it made me realize that they are going out of their way to notice me. They're noticing how bold I am,” before referring to people who wanted to hurt her by asserting, “If you did vote for me with negative intentions, thank you because I still won the vote and I'm willing to advocate for my community as a whole.”
Cassie also went on to mention her friends and classmates who showed support to her. She noted, “I don’t think that it was truly a joke. I think that part of it really was genuine and that a lot of people have my back and do support me. That’s what gives me hope. I think it’s really empowering because finding myself as a whole was really hard, but now that I’m here and a better version of myself, I’m so much happier. People in my class and peers have noticed that.”
Besides, the school student thanked her mother for all the confidence she has. She added, “It was probably from my mom. She kind of built me up with this confidence, and yes, she named the precautions and what might be happening, but I was willing to take the head to head.”
Meanwhile, a lot of people reportedly attended the homecoming parade to be on Cassie’s side. Erin Satterwhite, who is a parent, said, “Cassie’s story, it just spoke to me as a mom. And this is an inclusive, kind, supportive community and I wanted that message to be shared and not the original message that was shared.”
Cassie’s mother also took to Facebook to express her happiness while hailing her daughter and her supporters. She wrote, “You’re extraordinary. Stories upon stories from parents and people across the country. So many of you have shown up. Rob Moran with Fore Apparel and Design LLC. who made shirts (available now at the end of Petoskey Ave first come first serve), WOW Windowboxes with a gorgeous bouquet, and Cincinnati Pride with delivered flowers brought tears to my eyes and deserve your support. Thank you! #princesscassie.”