No more king, queen at Mona Shores High

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) - Rather than voting for a prom king and queen, students at Mona Shores High School now will select a gender-neutral court, 24 Hour News 8 learned Monday.

The change comes about five months after a transgender student wasn't allowed to run for homecoming king at Mona Shores.

Oakleigh Reed is registered at the school as a girl, but plans to undergo a sex change upon turning 18. Reed identifies as a boy, and students and teachers at Mona Shores recognize Oak that way, as well.

Reed was disqualified from running for homecoming king in September. Since last fall, school officials have been trying to figure out a way to avoid a similar situation from happening again.

The solution?

The juniors and seniors will vote on a gender-neutral prom court this spring. The policy will stand for future homecoming events, as well. There will be two juniors and two seniors on the courts; the sex of the students won't be considered.

"I'm so glad that the rules have been changed," Reed said in a news release from the ACLU. "All I wanted was a chance for all students to participate and be heard. Now, my classmates and I can just focus on having a great time at our school dance."