Male student named Connecticut school’s prom queen

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — A 17-year-old boy has been named prom queen at his high school and says he’s making a point about gender labeling and discrimination.

Nasir Fleming won the title last week at Danbury High School, where he’s a popular senior. He was nominated as prom king and as prom queen but decided to be considered only for queen.

Fleming told the News Times newspaper for a story on Tuesday that he’s been openly gay since sixth grade and has struggled with bullying. He said he isn’t sure whether the students who submitted his name were making fun of his sexuality but decided it was a good opportunity to make a point about the importance of being who you are.

“Either way, I’m still fabulous,” he said.

Fleming said students at the prom were supportive and erupted in cheers when he won.

“I was flabbergasted,” he told the newspaper. “The audience was surprised and extremely supportive. The audience was more excited than I was.”

Fleming said his selection as prom queen is a step forward for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people — but he wasn’t expecting to win. His date to the prom, senior Amanda Dattilo, said the honor left him truly stunned.

“Afterwards,” she said, “he was all happy and giddy.”

Danbury High’s principal, Gary Bocaccio, said students nominate their classmates and anyone can be nominated for king or queen. He said he didn’t know if Fleming was the school’s first male prom queen.