Mass. Transgender Student Becomes High School Prom Queen
It was a first for the town of Middleborough, Massachusettes this week when high school senior Cody Tubman became her school's first transgender prom queen, My Fox Bostonreports.
Contrary to what many would think, Tubman's high school years were not fraught with the peer induced angst most transgender teenagers go through. Tubman, who came out to her mom when she was a freshman and began transition during her sophomore year, told the news station that her high school has been accepting and responsive to her needs by allowing her to use the girls' bathrooms and locker rooms.
"I thought people weren't gonna understand and that's what I was afraid of. But, people did understand," Tammy, the teen's mother, said.
Middleborough High School principal Paul Branagan said he was proud of Tubman and that students have also been accepting.
"This is a community and a school community in particular that is very accepting and I think that's a true testament to that," Branagan said.
Though, the teen did receive some criticisms. She told My Fox Boston, "I had like two people at the school be like, 'oh, you shouldn't win prom queen because you're a boy; you should win prom king,' and I'm like well, I'm a queen!"
Tubman was crowned prom queen Tuesday and said she was surprised by the win it was exciting, nevertheless.
"People need a leader and someone to look up to and someone to help them through the process themselves so, I think I could do that," the teen said.
Tubman is attending Eugene Lang College in New York next fall and plans to study performing arts.