aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South
Friday, October 27, 2006
Gay homecoming king. In Texas.
University of Texas at Tyler senior Chad Myers admits his recent election as the school’s first openly gay homecoming king surprised a lot of people - especially him.
“Everyone knows me as openly gay,” Myers said. “It was a surprise to me when I won.”
Myers was elected during homecoming activities on Oct. 14. He was crowned along with homecoming queen Lea Guard, who is a senior from Huntsville.
Myers, who came out his senior year in high school in Liberty Hill north of Austin, said the Tyler campus is hardly thought of as a liberal haven.
“I had never been called a faggot until I moved to East Texas,” Myers said. “I think it is a pretty big deal that an openly gay guy won homecoming king at such a conservative school. Thanks to everyone that voted for me.”
Myers, who was nominated by the student government association, defeated contenders nominated by the Black Students Association, the Baptist Student Ministry, the University Students Veterans Association and several others.
