Homecoming rule stirs transgender debate at Pa. high school
Eric Knopsnyder, September 4, 2013

Kasey Caron didn't plan on making a grand political statement at Richland High School's homecoming ceremony, in this Pennsylvania city 70 miles from Pittsburgh.

He wasn't trying to change any stereotypes about transgender students or fight for equal treatment by asking to be on the king's court.

In fact, Caron, who is a girl but identifies as a female-to-male transgender, didn't even ask to be placed on the male ballot for homecoming court. The guidance counselor, Missy Stringent, asked the 17-year-old which ballot he would prefer to be on. Kasey chose the male side.

"They gave me the option," said Kasey, who was born with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that leads to a hormone imbalance where the ovaries make more androgens – sometimes called male hormones – than normal.

Three days later, Kasey was informed that because his driver's license identifies him as a female, Pennsylvania law prohibits him from being on the male ballot – even though he cannot begin the gender transformation until after he turns 18.

Instead, the school moved Kasey to the female ballot.