Lesbian Student Crowned Homecoming King at Calif. High School

A lesbian student was crowned her high school's homecoming king Friday, a first for the San Diego, Calif. public high school.

In fact, Rebeca Arellano, a senior, and her girlfriend Haileigh Adams could be the first lesbian homecoming royal couple in the country if Adams -- one of two female students nominated for homecoming queen -- is crowned as well.

"They were chanting my name and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had," Arellano told San Diego's 10 News.

During an interview with the station, people in cars drove by shouting things at Arellano including, "You guys are an amazing couple!"

Arellano said she and Adams began dating her sophomore year of high school, the same year she came out as gay.

"It is crazy to think that a few years later I am being nominated as king," she said.

The couple said they weren't originally planning to run for homecoming court, but decided to after receiving an abundance of support from family and friends.

"Any of the guys are not happy about me running because I'm taking a guy's place, but if there was any other way to do it and have two lesbians that are a couple win, I would," Arellano said.

"Another student that's also a lesbian, she said, 'We won', which was what I wanted," she added. "I love Patrick Henry for supporting me."

Ben Cartwright, an LGBT activist and a 1998 Patrick Henry graduate, said he had hoped this day would come but never thought it would.

"Patrick Henry [High School] has always sort of been a little ahead of the curve, but I could not imagine this happening then," Cartwright said.

Several months ago, Francis Shervinski, a freshman at Columbia College in Chicago, was crowned his school's homecoming queen.