Chat Sesh: Scarlett Lenh — Colorado Springs trans teen voted homecoming princess

With the majority vote on her side, Sand Creek High School junior Scarlett Lenh officially became homecoming princess at the Colorado Springs school. (Colorado Springs — you read that right.) Still reeling from her win, she chatted us up on the highs and lows of the news.

Tell me a little bit about Homecoming Princess Scarlett Lenh.

Well Scarlett is me, of course. Before then, I was identified as Andy. I’ve questioned my gender from a very young age and finally brought it out once I had close friends I could trust in high school. Ever since then, I’ve been able to open up to more than just close friends and I feel extremely comfortable and confident with who I am now. I also have a lot of positive feedback and supporters and it really makes it a lot easier to go and follow what I believe in!

LOVE it! So how old are you?

Thank you! I am currently 16 years old

Rad rad rad. Are you “full-time?” I mean … do you always present as your real self or do you have to hide it at certain times?

Recently yes. I would love to do so all the time from now on, but my family does not support my choice. I really hope things work out with my family eventually so I can express who I want to be all the time.

And I wanna note that I think — especially since you’re only 16, which is such a tender age — you’re INCREDIBLY brave for living out loud, so to speak. But what’s home like at the moment?

My mother is extremely frustrated with me, told me she didn’t raise me properly, that God is not on her side, tried throwing all my clothes and makeup away, told me she wants me gone, things like that. My sister and aunt, on the other hand, are very supportive! Both of them understand things like this and how I feel, and they only want me to be successful and happy.

And do you live with your Mom or …?

I do, yes.

Hmmm. So while you’re at home, there’s only “Andy.”

I suppose that’s the easiest way to put it.

Dang. And what does she think about all the news attention?

She’s not all that happy about it, but I just avoid her at the time being, and she does the same for me.

So awkward. Change of pace: What’s the scoop on Homecoming?

I was chosen by my Junior class to be the Princess for this year’s Homecoming dance, and it has really been amazing how much support and attention I’ve gained from everyone. It really has
been heartwarming!

No kinda bullying or hate from any classmates?

Very few, but it’s extremely easy to ignore when I also have much more support than I do hate.

Yes! Love it! So many people give in to the hate WAY too fast and get scared and back down. And hey, your school is cool for not striking you from Homecoming Court, also.

Yeah, a lot of the staff really have been helping me out.

It makes me so happy when I see the youth of today really givin’ em hell … it’s awesome.

Thank you! I just hope everyone can be themselves one day, regardless of sexual preference, race, gender, religion, and all that. I hope I can inspire many others to show the world who they really are and only surround themselves around positive people who support you. Life will never be easy all the time, but finding who you truly are is a great place to start.

Preach, Scarlett! 

Out Front gives a hat-tip to the leaders of Sand Creek’s school district, Falcon 49. After the nomination, District Spokesman Matt Meister told the Associated Press: “Our board policy sets the standard that we do not exclude any person from participating in any program or activity on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.”