Oak Park High School in Kansas City has just crowned 17-year-old Tristan Young as the school’s homecoming queen. Young is the second transgender girl to be crowned homecoming queen by the school, following in the footsteps of Landon Patterson, who was queen in 2015.
Congratulations to @Northmen_OPHS Homecoming Queen Tristan Young! 🥳👑 pic.twitter.com/5qP9DKEfPR
— NKC Schools (@NKCSchools) September 16, 2023
“Being nominated and then becoming queen is so much deeper than just surface level,” Young wrote on Instagram after learning of her win. “I have had a very difficult high school journey, but having the support of my friends, family and Oak Park has helped tremendously, I truly don’t know where I would be without it.”
“Tonight I stood on a field with four other amazing women, who are just as deserving of this honor as I am. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience with these women,” she continued.
North Kansas City Schools posted photos of Young’s crowning last week, with the caption “Congratulations to Oak Park Homecoming Queen Tristan Young!” Thousands of comments poured in, showering Young in support and celebration. Unfortunately, the transphobic comments rolled in as well. Luckily, Young’s community publicly backed her up.
“I want to pause and congratulate Tristan for being crowned Oak Park High School’s Homecoming Queen!” tweeted Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission. “I uplift this against the transphobic comments against this young person who was named queen by their peers. I’m thankful the next generation of Kansas City is so kind.”
I want to pause and congratulate Tristan for being crowned Oak Park High School’s Homecoming Queen! 👑
I uplift this against the transphobic comments against this young person who was named queen by their peers. I’m thankful the next generation of Kansas City is so kind. 💓 https://t.co/MDpsuQJ14T
— Justice Horn (@JusticeHorn_) September 19, 2023
