Juniors Eric Burch and Daniel Johnson attended Plymouth High School’s 2015 prom together. Photo contributed by: Daniel Johnson
By Jay Brown
There are students at Plymouth High School who believe that the Homecoming/Prom titles could be changed to gender neutral titles. Junior Stacy Diaz said, “I feel like it would be an amazing opportunity to include the LGBT into homecoming/prom so that it shows that we, as PHS, are a very loving and supportive school.”
Changing Homecoming/Prom titles would allow all students to feel included in the selection. Sophomore Ashley Liggins said, “[The titles] should be changed to something more equal that has both meanings to it because if not then people will start saying that Plymouth High School is against the LGBT community.” Freshman Class President Leah Smith believes that it is vital to include all of PHS’s students, making sure that everybody feels welcome. Ms. Stephanie Wezeman, PGSA advisor (Plymouth Gay Straight Alliance) said, “I believe that whatever creates the most inclusive and least restrictive environment for students on the full spectrum of gender identity is the right thing to do.”
The LGBT+ community may feel even more welcome into homecoming/prom. Freshman Aiden Miller said, “Changing the Homecoming/Prom titles would make LGBT students at PHS feel more accepted. It would also normalize homosexual relationships and transgenders.” Junior Hope Barrow believes that not only would the LGBT+ community feel more accepted, but their self esteem would skyrocket. “People wouldn’t feel a sense of dysphoria or self-hate. We would also be helping the community become more open minded, and at the same time, we could be educating the community!”
PHS students have reasons why these titles would be a positive change for the school. Diaz said, “I seriously think that this is an amazing idea, because it shows that the LGBT community wants to be noticed, without sexuality intervening in voting. If the school were to hold such a supportive event I’m sure Plymouth would be recognized for showing love to those who may be seen as outcasts.” Miller said, “Changing the titles normalizes the LGBT community which causes a ripple effect. One small action of acceptance motivates others to make changes and soon being transgender, homosexual, or asexual will not be a big deal anymore.”
Ms. Samantha Schwartz, one of the junior class sponsors said, “I would love to see this happen. I think the idea of changing the titles is a good one, especially if it is done well and appropriately explained. This allows students to feel comfortable being nominated for those roles. Although, I would want to make sure that people understand what these roles represent and that they are actually designed to make all people feel comfortable and not just one group.”
Not every student agrees on changing the titles. Juniors Hayley Brown and Ty Irwin believe that the titles should stay the same. Irwin goes as far as to claim that “there wouldn’t be any benefits.” Brown said that “[people are] still going to view themselves as a gender. If they are born a girl but like to be known as a boy then they would just run for prince, not princess. All people view themselves as a gender. If they don’t then are they an alien?” However, Ms. Wezeman counters her by saying, “Thanks to significant medical research, we have long known that gender is not the strict binary (male/female) that we have traditionally identified, but people fear what they do not understand.”
One of PHS’s Prom Posters. Photo by: Jay Brown
Both Brown and Irwin agree that changing the titles should not happen because of tradition. Brown said,“It’s tradition and it might seem disrespectful to some people to change it. It is tradition to have prince, princess, queen, and king. Yes I do support LGBT people but I don’t believe it should change because they can still run for what they want. ” Irwin said, “No [I would not change it], because they’ve been known as king and queen for a very long time.” Smith isn’t sure what would be best, saying, “I want to make sure that everybody is comfortable which makes this hard.” She goes on to explain that she wants the LGBT+ community to feel more comfortable in these social events but doesn’t want to make anybody else feel uncomfortable. However, Miller said, “Accepting people for who they are is more important than tradition. We change traditions all the time and no one flips out, what’s different about this change?” Junior Amber Gonzalez said, “I think it’s more important to accept people for who they are because you can not hurt people by changing traditions, but people get hurt if they are not accepted.” Art teacher Ms. Haley Church, said, “I appreciate tradition but I’m not stuck in the mud and opposed to change.” She continues on to say, “It puts me in a tough position because I support my students but I also support my administration.” Ms. Schwartz joined in, saying, “I realize change is difficult for a lot of people and I do have to say that as the person in charge of prom nominations, I didn’t want to make changes in my first year for fear of making a mistake or making others uncomfortable. But I think with support from the student body to make a change in prom and homecoming naming would be a positive change for students who do not fit into the binary gender roles as is usually stated in prom king or prom queen.”
There are students who have contributed ideas about gender neutral titles. Miller said, “I really like Homecoming Royalty as a new title.” Freshman Nick Balkema joined in by saying, “I would change [the current titles] to the Prom Champions.” Ms. Schwartz also said, “I would like to change the titles and I have ideas but I do not know if they would be better: perhaps Prom Regent or Prom Royalty or Prom Majesty as the roles. I would like to see students decide on what names of new roles they prefer so that the ones chosen are actually desired.” Junior Katy Corsaw said, “I would just change it to general “Homecoming/Prom Court.”” Corsaw continued on to say that it would make more sense for the two people, regardless of gender, with the most votes to win.
Discussing the changing of Prom/Homecoming titles may prompt various opinions. Diaz said, “I feel like there would be some comments made but nothing that would actually get too serious.” Barrow added on, “Honestly, I don’t think they would change right away. However, I feel as if they would change over time, due to the changes in culture and people.” Ms. Wezeman said, “I think initially, at least, changing the titles would divide the community – in and out of the school – because change is challenging. I would expect major tension for a while – as Frederick Douglass so eloquently put it, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’”
Change can affect some individuals either way. Ms. Church said, “I don’t necessarily feel swayed on, one side or the other. I’m not against it at all. I don’t think [changing the titles] will be the biggest deal in the world.” Joining in, sophomore Jennifer Sayer, does not care either way, only saying, “Just love everybody and don’t tear them down for anything. Be nice to people and love everybody.”