SBU opts for gender-neutral homecoming titles

<p>A total of three students will be elected from 10 finalists as Stony Brook Royals, regardless of gender.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 18, 2018, 9:54 AM

Updated 2,007 days ago

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Say goodbye to the homecoming king and queen at Stony Brook University.
This year, the school says it will opt for gender-neutral homecoming court titles.
A total of three students will be elected from 10 finalists as Stony Brook Royals, regardless of gender.
The school says it's making the move to promote diversity.
"We want our students to feel included in all aspects of university life, and it was a simple step for us to change the title," says Jeff Barnett, the associate dean of students. 
The administration says they have been talking about this change for a few years. It means a lot to homecoming finalist Allilsa Fernandez, who identifies as nonbinary.
"To me, it's a dream come true," says Fernandez.
The court will be crowned at the homecoming football game against the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday.


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