Cassidy Campbell wins Homecoming Queen, twitpic via LA Gay & Lesbian Center

After the recent passage of a California bill allowing transgender children to greater bathroom access, even more gains were made in the LGBTQ community this week, when a transgender teen was crowned homecoming queen at Marina High School.

On Friday night, Cassidy Lynn Campbell gained the affirmation that many high school students only dream of, thanks to her willingness to be true to herself, in spite of the criticism that she has faced for doing so. 

"If I win it would mean that the school recognizes me as the gender I always felt I was," Campbell told the L.A. Times.

As if the social hierarchies of high school are not difficult enough to navigate, Campbell, who was born a boy, dealt with the added complications of beginning to take hormone blockers and estrogen injections to make the transition to living as a girl.

Born Lance Campell, Cassidy Lynn Campbell, has been living as a girl for the past three years. 

As a sign of the changing times and surge in acceptance for LGBTQ community, school administrators have been accepting and encouraging of Campbell in her decision to run for homecoming court. 

"If Marina High School is to make high-profile news during its homecoming week this year," said Principal Paul Morrow, "then we are proud that the message is one of equity and individual respect." 

Friday night was not just a memorable night for Campbell; it was a memorable night for America, as she became the very first transgender teen to win the title. 

Campbell chose to run not merely for her own gratification, but rather to make a statement and to encourage other transgender teens to seek full acceptance. 

"I was so proud to win, not just for me but for everyone out there," Cassidy told reporters afterward. "I think it really shows the progression of the times."

Campbell plans on becoming more active in the LGBTQ community in the global fight for equality, to help other teens gain the courage and confidence to “be true to themselves.”

Even before her Friday night victory, the Twitersphere has been exploding with encouragement and pride for this brave young lady. 

Contact Executive Producer Sara Newman here and follow her on Twitter.