Cassidy Lynn Campbell, a transgender teen, has become the homecoming queen at her high school in Huntington Beach, California. Campbell, the 16 year old high school senior, broke out in tears during the ceremony on Friday night. She was born a male, but has said that she always felt like a girl. She wanted to run for homecoming queen in order to make a statement to her peers and for other people like her around the world.

During Marina high’s homecoming pep rally, the homecoming queen candidates was narrowed from ten to five, with Cassidy among them. The next part of the process took place during halftime of the football game, where she was pronounced the winner, according to the Los Angeles Times. Before the election occurred, she told The Times, “If I win it would mean that the school recognizes me as the gender I always felt I was.”

Even before her Friday night victory, the Twitersphere has been exploding with support for this brave young lady. http://t.co/rhiHPk1yUn

— Neon Tommy (@neontommy) September 21, 2013

She was very happy to be awarded homecoming queen and was stunned upon the announcement. This is a big deal for the LGBTQ community, as awareness continues to rise. To be recognized in this way is a very special achievement for Campbell and others like her. Her peers erupted in cheers as she won and upon the announcement that she was one of the finalists. It is impressive to hear that the students reacted this way, because often people that are transgender or other people that align themselves with the LGBTQ community get teased and are disgraced by the people that know them.

After years of not fitting in, she finally feels like she can be accepted after being crowned the homecoming queen, reports CBS Los Angeles. One of her peers and supporters, Janet Tran, also gave strong support for her classmate when saying “I think it’s really awesome ’cause a lot of people wouldn’t be able to do what she does. I mean … I would be so scared and she’s accepting everything that everyone is saying. She’s taking it all in … in a good way.”

Congrats 2 Cassidy Lynn Campbell & the students of Marina HS in HB.What a great day 4 equality & acceptance 4 ALL.❤³ http://t.co/CZN9iwAuL3

— Tally (@bardgal) September 21, 2013

Her fellow students started chanting her name after she was crowned, and ran down to the field to hug her. Cassidy is certainly correct when saying “I think it really shows the progression of the times.” This is an important step for her and for others in the community in which she lives, as well as other people that live lives like hers. If she is she able to speak out and be open about it, maybe other people will see this and be able to do the same thing.

Image via Youtube