WILLIAMSBURG As historic events go, Jessee Vasold's election as the first transgender homecoming queen at the College of William of Mary arrived with a dearth of drama.
"A friend asked to nominate me and we really just wanted to see if I'd be put on the ballot or not," Vasold recalled.
"I didn't hear anything about the nomination," said the third-year student, who is homecoming queen for the Class of 2011. "And when the link went out for us to vote, I clicked on it and there my name was. It was no issue as far as I know."
Saturday's crowning of Vasold sparked harsh reaction on conservative Web sites such as Free Republic, but mostly the new queen has been fielding congratulations. On-campus response to Vasold's election is a heartening contrast to the curious commotion surrounding historically black Hampton University's crowning of a nonblack Miss Hampton.
"I think it's cool," said senior Kendra Hunt of Woodbridge. "Because it shows how our culture is evolving, hopefully."
Peter Bihl, a first-year student from Waynesboro, recalled Vasold's involvement in freshman-orientation activities.
"She really puts herself out there. So I feel like it's kind of the fruits of her labor."
W&M's official response has been a low-key embrace. "William and Mary is a diverse and inclusive community, and student selections to this year's Homecoming Court reflect that," spokesman Brian Whitson said.
"The administration's response has been great," Vasold said. "They've just been checking on me, making sure I'm OK. I think that's important to note the college really is making a huge stride to promote differences and similarities, and just better understanding among students."
As for the outcome, "I feel like everyone I've talked to voted for me because they felt I truly embodied Tribe pride. . . . . I think if you're voting for something like this, then it is of course a statement. I don't think it was a motivating reason behind the vote."
Vasold's parents have expressed their love in the aftermath but were not in favor of their child wearing the homecoming crown because of safety concerns.
"They want to make sure I'm safe on campus and if I go off campus." But Vasold hasn't felt endangered. "I haven't felt any more at risk than I ever would on campus."
Those folks inclined to vent over Vasold's election by W&M students would be advised to save their energy. The civil-rights movement of the 21st century has left the station and is barreling down the tracks. Yesterday, President Barack Obama signed into law the extension of federal hate-crime statutes to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Vasold -- who prefers the transgender pronoun ze instead of he or she -- represents America's future. So do the students who supported Vasold and others who didn't but see the election as nothing to panic about.
"It's a general change across the country, not just at William and Mary," said Myron Kimble, a senior and a friend of Vasold's. "We're tired of the old way."
A queen is crowned. Long live the new way.
Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or mwilliams@timesdispatch.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/RTDMPW.
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