William and Mary students elect transgender homecoming queen

Associated Press

Monday October 26, 2009

Students at the College of William and Mary have elected a transgender homecoming queen.

Jessee Vasold took the field Saturday at halftime of the Williamsburg school's football game against James Madison. The junior and other members of the homecoming court were introduced to the crowd and posed for pictures.

Vasold identifies as "genderqueer," a term for those who don't adhere to either strictly male or strictly female gender roles.

Students nominated and elected Vasold, who will represent the Class of 2011. An e-mail message left for Vasold on Saturday wasn't immediately returned.

"William and Mary is a diverse and inclusive community, and student selections to this year's Homecoming Court reflect that," school spokesman Brian Whitson said in an e-mail.

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