University Ditches Homecoming King and Queen for ‘Inclusive’ ‘Royals’

ashley.rae | March 1, 2017
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The University of Minnesota is replacing the titles of homecoming “King and Queen” with the gender-neutral all-inclusive “Royals” as part an “effort toward gender inclusivity” for trans and gender non-conforming students.

A statement on the University of Minnesota 2017 homecoming page claims the move is in the “spirit of inclusion” so students with “any combination of gender identity” can win the homecoming titles.

According to the Minnesota Daily, the change is to make homecoming “more inclusive for those who don’t conform to traditional gender identities.”

Marissa Suiter, the interim director of programs and activities at the University of Minnesota, told the Minnesota Daily, “This was a good chance for us to make it more inclusive so that hopefully anyone is more willing to participate regardless of their gender identity.”

Stef Wilenchek, the director of the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life (who goes by “they” pronouns), said getting rid of the titles “King and Queen” is part of removing barriers.

“Any time barriers are removed like that, hopefully it helps more people see themselves within the (role) and not barriers, and ... language can be that barriers at times,” Wilenchek explained.

David Graf, a member of the homecoming planning board, told WCCO that as a result of the change, instead of homecoming court consisting of five men and five women, it can now be “10 boys, 10 girls, 10 non-binary students, 10 transgender students.”

The students who are named Royals will be awarded a scholarship.

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