Official: 'Adult Bullies' Behind Opposition To Lesbian Homecoming King, Queen
SAN DIEGO (CBS) — A Southland high school was bombarded this week with what one official called "hate" calls and emails after a teenage lesbian couple was selected as homecoming king and queen.
KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports the top school official for San Diego County said those who criticized the students' selection are "adult bullies who preach hate and intolerance".
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Superintendent Bill Kowba said adults criticizing the selection of Rebecca Arellano and girlfriend Haileigh Adams as the homecoming king and queen at Patrick Henry High School are "demonstrating such a lack of tolerance and are presenting such a negative role model for children with their hateful comments."
"I am disappointed that this happy and positive event has received national media coverage, which has attracted a slew of what I can only describe as hate calls and emails to the school," he said.
Arellano was named homecoming king at a Friday pep rally, while Adams was named homecoming queen at a school dance the next night.
The calls and emails "are also disrupting the work of the school to focus on the education of students," Kowba said. "If these calls and emails were from students, they would face disciplinary measures."
Kowba said that despite the public outcry, he supports and congratulates the reigning homecoming king and queen of Patrick Henry High School and wishes them luck in the years to come.
"I look forward to the day when all students can come to school, free of harassment and bullying," he said.
