Gay Tennessee Teen Crowned Homecoming Royalty in Gold Dress

A gay teen was crowned "Homecoming Royalty" in Tennessee.

White Station High School named Brandon Allen, 17, as part of its royal court -- with a gender-neutral title that the Memphis school instituted this year.

A photo of a surprised Allen -- wearing a gold dress, tiara, sash, and holding a bouquet of flowers given to members of the court -- went viral on Twitter after it was shared by White Station.

"We crowned our 2019 Homecoming Royalty tonight," the school captioned the pic, which has received over 4,000 likes as of the time of this article's posting. "Congrats to senior Brandon Allen!" The same photo shared to White Station's Facebook account has been shared over 1,000 times.

Allen shared his appreciation with his school and peers for the victory. "Thank you to everyone who has contributed to me becoming queen," Allen wrote, according to NBC News. "You guys truly looked stunningly beautiful and I am so honored to have been able to walk with you guys!!"

Emmett Campbell, a transgender junior at White Hall, captured the viral photograph. "It was such an incredible thing to witness," Campbell told NBC News. "It was a moment of acceptance and validation for the LGBT+ community from our entire school."

The comments on the picture shared to Facebook were generally positive. "As a member of the WSHS class of 1980 I think this is... FABULOUS!!!" wrote Susan Lowe. "Congrats Brandon! You make this Spartan proud!!"

However, the photograph did attract some negative responses, which Principal Carrye Holland addressed in a Facebook comment: "Here's the thing: it's Brandon's right to run for homecoming court under Title IX. It's the students' choice of who they want to support as homecoming royalty."

"I'm exceedingly proud to be the principal of our amazing school," Holland continued, adding, "WSHS loves and supports everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe. Thank you for the love and light from so many of you."