Lesbian couple makes history after being crowned school's first co-reigning prom queens
A lesbian couple has reportedly made history after being named Pennsylvania school's first co-reigning prom queens. For Carly Levy and her girlfriend Courtney Steiner it was a surrealistic moment when their high school's student body crowned both of them. Levy told USA TODAY, “This win means that people who are different still can be acknowledged and can win and can represent a community. Seeing our school come together for us just gave us a large sense of hope.”
The two girls are the students of Pennridge High School in Bucks County and reportedly got a lot of support from friends, who voted to change the gender-oriented terms from “king” and “queen” to “prom royalty.” But despite all the support, Levy was initially skeptical about making it on the ballot. Steiner explained that Bucks County is right-oriented and earlier, they have felt micro-aggressions and stares. However, when they were elected to share the crown, it was overwhelming. “It meant so much to know people we're willing to look past the traditional heterosexual couple choice and support us,” Steiner said.
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However, there was a group that thought Levy and Steiner were crowned because it’s Pride Month. “That was disheartening but also so far from the truth. We won based off of our character,” Levy said, who also added that their win during Pride Month was “the cherry on top.” “My sister said her co-worker told her that seeing us win gave her hope and inspiration for when her gay daughter goes to high school,” Levy mentioned.
GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, also expressed their happiness over the girls’ winning. Barbara Simon, head of GLAAD's news and campaigns said, “GLAAD celebrates Carly and Courtney for their courage in living their truth with pride and joy. Props to their families, friends and classmates not just for accepting them for who they are, but honoring them in such a public and affirming way. The world is a safer and healthier place for everyone when all are included. Congratulations, Queens.”
Meanwhile, in another incident when an Ohio lesbian couple was elected as senior prom king and queen, their win was not taken well. In April, Annie Wise was crowned Prom Queen, and her girlfriend Riley Loudermilk was crowned Prom King, at their Kings high school. But several parents were not happy with the decision as a week after the prom, a meeting was held in a school district about 26 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
A parent reportedly said, “Sorry but, I believe that there are still two genders, a male and a female. I think tradition stands for a queen that has a vagina, a king that has a penis and testicles. Period. That's the way it should stand. that is the way God has intended it to be.” Also, on the Facebook post where the couple’s win was announced, some people wrote that the girls “need Jesus.” But another parent supported the girls and stated, “I admire this generation for their thirst of knowledge and understanding, their strength to stand up for what they believe in.”
