Transgender teen from Davie crowned prom queen

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Andrew Viveros. May 30, 2011
Photographer: Courtesy: Sun Sentinel

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Posted: 05/31/2011

Transgender teen Andrew Viveros, 17, was crowned prom queen on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale.

Viveros, a graduating senior at McFatter Technical High School in Davie, said he wasn't sure he would win.

"Then they called my name and I was in complete shock," said Viveros, a Davie resident and president of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance.

Viveros said some students campaigned against him but others praised him for his courage.

"It's a big stepping stone," Viveros said. "People can see it's finally OK to be who you are and do what you want no matter how different you are."

Viveros noted that Juan Macias, an openly gay teen and graduating senior at McFatter, was crowned prom king. Macias' running for prom king did not raise near the amount of controversy that Viveros did.

Viveros, who also goes by Andii, said he won support from the school's administrators after writing a speech explaining the right he had to run for prom queen and the daily struggle of being transgender.

Copyright © 2011, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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