A Florida transgender high school student was elected prom queen Friday night.
“They called my name and I was in total shock,’’ said Andii Viveros, a 17-year-old who was born male but has lived as a female for the past two years. Despite being bullied and taunted, the McFatter Technical High School senior has a strong support system — including a new principal who encouraged her to run for prom queen.
“She’s very supportive of me,” said Viveros, who beat out 14 other contestants for the title. “She said, 'Stay in the running. Don’t back down for anything.’”
The oldest of four siblings, Viveros also has the support of her parents. “I’ve always loved him unconditionally,” said her father, Oscar, a supervisor at a Fort Lauderdale garbage collection company, who paid for Andii’s prom gown and still uses male pronouns when referring to her. “I’ve made sure in our house he’s free to act and do whatever makes him comfortable.”
For the honor of prom king, McFatter students chose Juan Macias, a 17-year-old gay male senior.
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