Transgender Student Vies For Homecoming Queen At Marina High School
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A transgender student at Marina High School in Huntington Beach is vying to become the school's Homecoming Queen.
CBS2's Stacey Butler spoke to Cassidy Lynn Campbell Friday.
"I'm so excited for tonight," said Campbell, 16, referring to a back-to-school dance.
These days, Campbell has nothing but excitement as the majority of students have embraced her being transgender. To many, it's no big deal.
"Yesterday at school during 4th period the announcements came on to name the official top ten [nominees] and I was one of them. I was like, 'Oh my gosh! Are you serious? I actually got it?'" said Campbell. She told Butler she's always known she was a girl despite being born a boy.
In two weeks, Campbell finds out if she officially becomes Homecoming Queen -- she would be one of the first in the nation to be transgendered.
She said it would be great for the school to recognize what she has always known.
"I'm a girl and if my school could recognize me as what I have always wanted, the world has always recognized me my entire life, that would be such an accomplishment," she said.
Three years ago, Campbell went from being Lance to Cassidy Lynn.
She said while many classmates embraced the change, a few weren't very kind -- especially on social media.
"It's been hard," said Cassidy's mom, about the transition and the acceptance of some.
She told Butler that she's embraced the idea of her son becoming her daughter -- and could become a Homecoming Queen.
"It's amazing, I just think how far we have all come," said Cassidy's mom.
Cassidy Lynn says it's really not about winning -- it's about the statement her winning would make. It's about sending a message most of all.
"No matter what kind of girl you are, even if you are transgender, you can still be a queen," says Cassidy.
She is already popular on YouTube. A 4-minute, 27-second video (played at super speed) of her transformation from Lance to Cassidy has more than 345,000 views since it was published this past February. There are several more videos where Campbell talks about being a girl -- those videos have 80,000 - 463,000 views.
Campbell finds out on September 20th if she is the winner.
