Last Friday evening Scarlett Lenh made her first public appearance as the Sand Creek High School junior class homecoming princess.
I was like even if I don't win I've already helped a lot of people show them that they can be themselves. But I won and I can't stop smiling.
--Scarlett
Scarlett said two of the other girls nominated were really supportive, but the other one was "really upset."
Scarlett began her transition at the beginning of the school year.
I feel more comfortable like this.
--Scarlett
One of my friends mentioned it, and I didn't think anything of it because I didn't think I'd be nominated. But, now, it really matters to me. This is something I've wanted to do since my freshman year. I want people to be themselves and not feel uncomfortable in their own body and mind.
--Scarlett Lenh
I don't see much of a difference. Same personality, same awesome friend.
--classmate and friend, Zach Cote
When Scarlett was escorted onto the field at halftime by Zach and another friend, Jonah Lee, the crowd roared its approval.
For every one person that does not like what I'm doing I know that there's 100 that support me.
--Scarlett
It's craziness.
Originally, it was a joke that he was going to be nominated for homecoming princess, but he got a lot of nominations and now there are a lot of upset girls because a spot was taken from them.
I'm very sympathetic that he's transgender, but he should be on the boys' side, not the girls'.
It's ridiculous - he's interested in girls, and they're allowing him to use the girl's bathroom.
--Jana Neathery, whose granddaughter attends Sand Creek
Ms. Neathery no doubt believes that lesbian students at Sand Creek should also not be allowed to use the girls restroom.
When Neathery complained to the principal of the high school, she was told that if her granddaughter feels uncomfortable sharing the restroom with Scarlett, she could leave.
I suggested he go to a nongender-specific restroom, whether it be in the office or the teachers' lounge.
I said, 'So my granddaughter can put on jeans and say I feel like a boy today' and go into the boys' restroom?'
--Neathery
For a while, I tried to avoid using the bathroom as much as I could at school. But when I do, I have used the women's restroom. I didn't make a big deal about it.
--Scarlett
Faced with complaints from adults District 49 released the following statement:
Our board policy sets the standard that we do not exclude any person from participating in any program or activity on the basis of gender activity and gender expression.
This is definitely something that can only happen in our generation.
--Jonah Lee
Especially in Colorado Springs, Jonah. The home of Focus on the Family and the US Air Force Academy is not the most tolerant, let alone accepting, places on the world.
According to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program in Washington, more than 50% of transgender youth will have at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday...which is 5 times the rate of the general population of teenagers.
Scarlett posted a selfie taken after her election, with the caption,
Thank you to everyone who was there for me, your support really makes life a whole lot better right now!
--Scarlett
Acceptance has, of course, not been universal.
I think it's wrong because he's actually a guy, he's not a girl, and he hasn't been doing this his entire life - he's only been recently doing it.
--Jarrod Clark, junior at Sand Creek
We know him pretty well. He's only cross-dressing, putting on girls' clothes.
--another student who asked to remain anonymous
He has always been there for me and is truly a good person. I support him because it takes a lot of courage and a lot of character to do what he is doing.
--Michael Carl, friend of Scarlett since 7th grade