Fresno High Schoolers Make Transgender History

Fresno High Schoolers Make Transgender History
by Dan Waterhouse
“Queer Eye ….”

Three weeks after Cinthia Covarrubias was nominated for Prom King at Fresno High School, transgender Roosevelt High senior Johnny Vera was selected by his classmates as this year’s Prom Queen.

When Covarrubias was nominated for Prom King, she made history—and national and international headlines—as likely the first United States transgender high school student to run for a prom title.

Vera also made history as probably the first American transgender title holder.

He was one of three candidates for the Queen title. He said that while he didn’t know Covarrubias, he had been inspired by her to run.

Vera, who stands 6 foot, 4 inches in heels, is well-known on the Roosevelt campus, where he’s also known as Crystal. He is on the cheerleading squad, immensely popular, and a good student.

According to school administrators, there was surprisingly little controversy about Vera’s running for Queen. Assistant Principal John Leal told reporters, “everyone loves Johnny. He stands his ground. I remember the winter formal—he was dressed in a beautiful dress by the way—no one batted an eye.”

Vera was selected as “Mr. Roughrider” at Homecoming last fall.

He plans to go to fashion design school in San Francisco in the fall.

The Fresno Rainbow Pride parade committee asked Vera to be a youth Grand Marshal in this year’s parade on June 2nd, along with Covarrubias and the Madera High School Gay Straight Alliance club.

According to the Gay Straight Alliance Network, Covarrubias was involved with the Fresno High’s GSA club activities. Her attendance at meetings led to her going to the Expression Not Suppression conference as well as to Sacramento for Queer Youth Advocacy Day.

So, when the call came that she was nominated for Prom Queen - there was no question that Cinthia had to be honest with the school about what made her feel most comfortable - she wanted to run for Prom King, instead. "I hope this opens up something new. I've been really excited about it and feeling a lot of hope."

Covarrubias (and Vera) also felt a lot of hate. The haters hurled their homophobic and racist venom at them: “If this person's (Covarrubias) dillusion (sic) had to do with anything other than sex, it would be considered a mental disorders (sic) and doctors would be more than happy to prescribe (sic) all sorts of drugs and therapy to treat it. Additionally, because of abortion, homosexuality and feminism (sic), liberals do not reproduce very many little liberals. That's why it's so important for them to get to our kids at school and indoctrinate them. Otherwise, their kind would die out in a few generations.”

And: “In the origional (sic) story, this GIRL (Covarrubias) was depicted as a native of Mexico. Since it was not then stated that she was a naturalized citizen, I assume she isn't. It was also never mentioned that she and her family weren't Resident Aliens. Which probably means they aren't. The solution to this controversy is quite simple. DEPORT THEM.

“It says a lot about how rediculous (sic) political correctness has become if it is in fact the case that they are illegal aliens, and are at the same time brazen enough to bring such a spotlight on themselves.”

And, about Vera: “Well, only the Tijuana Reporter would cover something like this at a school like Tijuana High. So this is the culture that the good citizens of mexico (sic) are bringing to our community. What a JOKE!”

Fresno High's GSA club advisor, Tiffani Sanchez, worked hard to advocate for Cinthia to be able to run for the Prom Royalty title that felt most comfortable to her. “Cinthia finished her recent transition to dress and look how she felt most comfortable. She was so happy and comfortable with herself. She came out of her shell and just blossomed. I had never seen her so happy and outgoing before. I can think of no other word to describe it besides true liberation.”

But, when Cinthia was nominated as Prom Royalty the school wanted to place her in the Queen category. Cinthia explained to school staff that she did not want to run for anything if she had to wear a dress. Then, efforts to change the district's policy began.

"We got the call on the morning of Day of Silence,” Sanchez said “that Cinthia was going to be allowed to run for Prom King, when I got off the phone I told Cinthia what was said and we both let out screams as we jumped up and down. I am very proud of Cinthia who decided to take a stand, not only for her, but also for the generations of students who will come after her.”

Sanchez explained that Covarrubias “made a very brave decision after only coming out to her parents less than a month earlier. It has not been an easy decision for her to follow through with. There have been positive and negative results for Cinthia as a result; however I know that she does not regret her decision.”

“I know that within the Fresno Unified School District the change has been made,” Sanchez continued. “Which is no small feat. Fresno Unified is one of the largest districts in the state. For all of the students in the Fresno Unified District, Cinthia has made an immediate change. The district will not stop any student from running for the position they feel comfortable. For other students in other districts she has set the precedent. Hopefully other districts will see that it is the right thing to do.”

When the voting was over on Prom Night, Covarrubias had lost. Because of the hate tossed at her and her family, she evaded news media when the prom ended. She has maintained a low profile since—sources say—at the behest of her parents.

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for photos and the story in The Fresno Bee, see: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/05/14/18416284.php