George Mason University in Virginia elected Ryan Allen, a gay man and a drag queen, as its new homecoming queen. (Video below the jump). Allen ran as “Reann Ballslee” and won the vote conducted via e-mail and announced at halftime of last Sunday’s game.
Allen, who is gay and performs as a popular drag queen at local clubs, assumed the title of Ms. Mason. He was wearing a green-and-gold bow, sewn for him by the theater department costume’s shop, that was visible even from the cheap seats, a sequined top, a black skirt and heels. Ricky Malebranche, a junior from Woodbridge, was named Mr. Mason.
The school said the contest does not require people to enter along strict gender lines. Allen, 22, said he entered just for fun. Reaction was mixed among students.
“I’ve never been into homecoming over here. This is the first time I’ve actually wanted to support someone,” said Melissa Benjjani, 21, from Lebanon. “He deserves to be queen. He’s already a queen for everybody.” …
“It’s really annoying,” said Grant Bollinger, who works as an ambassador for the admissions office. “The game was on TV. Everyone was there. All eyes were on us. And we do something like this? It’s just stupid.”
Allen grew up in a small town in Virginia and told the Washington Post that he endured years of taunts after coming out as a freshman in high school. He blossomed after enrolling at George Mason in 2005 when he started doing drag. I think it’s cool that he is the new queen and shows again that tolerance is growing, especially among young people.
Mr. and Ms. Mason 2009 from Connect Mason on Vimeo.
Hat tip to Deadspin.
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 7:33 AM
Looks more like a way of protesting the silly tradition of kings and queens than an affirmation of tolerance.
But whatever. You go…..guy!
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Its great to see that Mr. Mason wasn’t freaked out about putting his arm around the Queen.
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 AM
you go girl!
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 AM
Why Grant Bolligner thinks this somehow reflects poorly upon his school is beyond me. It’s not like the institution of homecoming king/queen are sacred or serious. It’s just a bit of fun.
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 AM
Which usually ends up with steamy sex?
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Absolutely disgusting! What do you say to children that see this? Politically Correctness promotes this lifestyle and is never there for the social responsibilities such as AIDS test, or counseling, and ruined life. You do not have to be a strict holly person to see the world looks like a scene where Moses went up to get the Ten Commandments. I despise the Jewish control of government and media.
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 2:00 PM
SPRH – Dude you need to get back on your meds. and get a weekly appt. on your mental health counselors calendar.
Last I checked we had an African American president who is protestant and the rest of the important government posts and big business CEOs in the U.S. are generally populated by old white guys of northern European descent and mainly Christians.
Oh, FYI. Jesus, your apparent savior, was a Jew.
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 7:21 PM
per chance, sprh were you in my neck of the woods today(Buffalo) protesting the funerals of flight 3407 victims?
Just wonderin’
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I thought this was just great[so did my grandkids] and I liked what he said to the media! Bollinger is an ass! My grandkids are tolerant and accepting of diversity in their world – TG kids are everywhere, btw let’s give them the love and support they need!!
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 AM
funny stuff, the vid…very well deserved
he makes such a lovely queen lol
These homophobes (transphobes and drag-phobes too) need to sod off, seriously…how annoying are those narrow-minded cunts
on Feb 25th, 2009 at 8:52 AM
That’s how to put the Queen back in homecoming.