Georgia school district invokes federal law to deny trans girl a shot at homecoming queen

A Georgia high school won’t let a transgender girl run for homecoming queen. Now she’s challenging the restrictions that kept her off the ballot and pushing for other transgender students to have an equal chance to participate.

Riley Williams, a student at Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale, launched a Change.org petition on September 22 calling for schools to allow students to participate in activities such as homecoming based on their gender identity.

“I faced an unfair situation that many may not realize exists in schools across our state. I was barred from running for homecoming queen because of a state policy that enforces traditional gender roles on students, particularly targeting transgender individuals,” Williams wrote. “The policy in question requires students to run for homecoming court positions based strictly on the gender assigned at birth, ignoring their authentic gender identity. This not only infringes upon the rights of transgender students like myself, but it also promotes an environment of exclusion and discrimination.”

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Clayton County Public Schools, however, attributed its decision to its interpretation of federal requirements rather than a state policy. In a statement to Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV, the school district said it was committed to providing a supportive environment for all students.

“However, we also must acknowledge the District’s responsibility to comply with applicable federal requirements. As a public school system, CCPS is required to operate in accordance with federal law, regulations, and guidance. Under the current federal interpretation and enforcement of Title IX, gender-based distinctions are recognized based on biological sex,” the statement said.

“Accordingly, where participation in a school activity involves a designation based specifically on gender, the District relies upon the birth gender reflected in a student’s official educational records in making that determination, and not gender identity," it continued. "So, while the District does not have a policy that speaks to students participating in Homecoming Court based on gender identity, we adhere to the current practice of allowing that participation in accordance with traditional birth gender.”

The statement did not identify a federal provision specifically requiring schools to exclude transgender students from homecoming court positions that align with their gender identity.

In 2025, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act, restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports based on sex assigned at birth. An analysis by the law firm Fisher Phillips describes requirements governing athletic participation and related facilities and accommodations, rather than homecoming court eligibility.

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Since creating the petition, nearly 1,900 people had signed as of Monday. The petition urges state education officials and local school boards to adopt inclusive participation guidelines.

Clayton County also gave its name to Bostock v. Clayton County, the landmark 2020 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In that case, Gerald Bostock, a county employee, said he was wrongfully fired for being gay. That ruling concerned employment protections under a different statute from the Title IX requirements the school district cited.

Williams’ petition seeks to change school activity policies at both the local and state levels.

“We urge state education officials and local school boards to take decisive action. This change will not only benefit transgender students, making them feel seen and respected, but it will set a beneficial precedent for schools across the country, fostering environments where diversity is celebrated, not penalized,” she wrote.

She added, “Let’s stand together to create a fair environment for all students and dismantle institutionalized discrimination. By signing this petition, you are supporting a future where every student, regardless of gender identity, can participate in school activities equally.”