Photo of gay high schooler wearing a dress at homecoming goes viral

A photo of a high school senior who identifies as gay being crowned a member of the homecoming court while wearing a dress has gone viral.

White Station High School posted the photo of student Brandon Allen, 17, which has had thousands of likes and shares on Facebook and Twitter.

We crowned our 2019 Homecoming Royalty tonight. Congrats to senior Brandon Allen! pic.twitter.com/TslNnCqRdc

— White Station High (@SpartansWSHS) September 28, 2019

In the photo, Allen wears a gold sequin off-the-shoulder gown and a tiara. He was crowned to the royal court, a gender-neutral replacement for the homecoming king and queen award that the school started awarding this year, according to NBC.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to me becoming queen,” NBC reported Allen as writing on his Instagram. “You guys truly looked stunningly beautiful and I am so honored to have been able to walk with you guys!!”

{mosads}Principal Carrye Holland responded to criticism the school received in a Facebook post.

“Here’s the thing: it’s Brandon’s right to run for homecoming court under Title IX,” she wrote. “It’s the students’ choice of who they want to support as homecoming royalty. I’m exceedingly proud to be the principal of our amazing school.”

“Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness, who challenges gender norms in clothing, also applauded the photo on Twitter.

What a beautiful picture

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) September 28, 2019