Transgender teen named homecoming queen at Trenton central HS

Like most teens in the running for Homecoming Queen, Trenton Central High School senior Jae Irizarry was excited when she found out she won the crown. But unlike others who have held the title, the 17-year-old was actually born a male.

Irizarry was crowned homecoming queen during Trenton Central High School's football game Saturday, according to NJ.com. The teen, who was born male but has been identifying as a female for a year, told NJ.com that friends and family convinced her to add her name to the ballot for homecoming queen.

"I wanted to make a difference, to show not only the city and world that it's 2015 and things are changing and progressing," Irizarry told NJ.com Monday. "I am so happy that I won, it's been amazing."

In the article, the school principal, Hope Grant, offered words of encouragement and support for Irizarry. She also refuted rumors that had begun to spread on social media alleging that the ballots were rigged in order to make sure the transgender teen won the election.

Anonymous sources told The Trentonian that the teacher responsible for overseeing the election of the homecoming queen, "failed to properly oversee the votes, which allowed students to stuff the ballot box as an alleged practical joke."

Trenton School District Interim Superintendent of Schools Lucy Feria did not return a call to her office seeking comment on the situation.

The principal told NJ.com that the school has a responsibility to be accepting and non-judgemental of students.