FUSD Boy wants to be Prom Queen

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Gene Haagenson
More: Bio, News Team

By Gene Haagenson

05/10/2007 (KFSN) -- It looks like high school proms in Fresno will never be the same. After the school district changed its rules to allow a girl at Fresno High to run for prom king, a boy from Roosevelt High wants to be a prom queen.

Roosevelt High holds its prom on Saturday and one of the three candidates for queen is a boy, who likes to be thought of as a girl. The campaign for prom queen is on at Roosevelt High and Johnny Vera is stumping for votes.

Johnny is a transgender. A boy, who wants to appear to his classmates, and the world as a girl. Johnny says, "You know, to start, I was never a typical boy. Cause you know, it's just a fact."

Johnny who also goes by Crystal is a cheerleader, and was class vice president last year. He was also elected homecoming prince two years ago, as a boy. For him queen is just another step.

Johnny says, "First of all, I want to run for queen because I've been very involved in my school. You know, I get along with a lot of people. I feel that I have made an impact in my school."

He was inspired to run after Cynthia Covarubias from Fresno High ran for prom king last month. Her candidacy changed school district policy, clearing the way for Johnny to run. Cynthia lost the race for king, and not everyone at Roosevelt will vote for Johnny.

Matthew Esparza, student, says, "I don't think it's good for him to be prom queen."
Action News: "How come?"
Esparza: "'Cause he's a guy. He's still considered a guy, still."

Student Colleen Aguilar says, "I think it's really cool because it's the way he wants to be, and its his choice in life, so, if he wants to go for prom queen, good luck."

But win or lose, Johnny is just happy to have the chance to try. Johnny says, "I'm just like any other girl. I'm just like any other candidate. I'm just trying to do this cause, I want to do it."

The prom is Saturday night. Now, Johnny says he's been treated well by most students at Roosevelt. After graduation he is going to fashion design school in San Francisco.

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