Cristian Hernandez (image courtesy – Cristian Hernandez)An Indiana high school elected an 18-year-old drag queen for prom king, and the win went viral.
The category is high school prom king realness. https://t.co/92Val0OnyR
— NBC Out (@NBCOUT) May 14, 2022
From NBC Out:
When Cristian Hernandez was named prom king of his Indiana high school, the 18-year-old senior — standing next to his four suit-wearing competitors — barely missed a beat before strutting down the red carpet in a black sequined gown, blond wig and feather boa to collect his crown.
“Honestly, when I walked out there, I left everybody speechless,” said Hernandez, who is nonbinary and uses he and they pronouns.
When asked about his atypical prom attire, Hernandez said, “I was just planning to do something really crazy for prom, and I thought, ‘Why not go in drag?’”
“I want to inspire people to try and break down those barriers that have been put up,” he said.
Hernandez’s win is part of a current trend of growing acceptance in many high schools across the country.
In November, a Missouri high school elected its first male homecoming queen, and last September an Orlando high school chose its first transgender homecoming queen.
I think LGBTQ youth seeing a drag queen elected prom king is visibility and representation that only serve to provide more courage, stability and pride in who these young people are.
There were lots of positive comments posted on the video clip online:
“I was a senior in 2013 and we had ONE out kid in school [of] over 2,000 kids. This warms my heart that you all get to be your most authentic selves.”
“I’m so happy for you!!! This is major!! I won prom king and was so close to going in drag, I’m so glad someone did it.”
Asked if he had a message for other LGBTQ young people, Hernandez said his message to other LGBTQ youth is, “Really be yourself, and confidence is key. You can’t let people tear you down.”
Watch part of Hernandez’s interview with NBC Out below:
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