FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Hood College is reviewing its homecoming rules after a lesbian was crowned king, a college official says. It was only the second annual homecoming at Hood, which didn't allow male students to live on campus until 2003. In 1912, the school's board of trustees changed its name to honor a wealthy benefactor. The institution became fully coeducational in 2002.
Jones tried to run last year for homecoming prince but the student committee wouldn't let her on the ballot, even though she had gathered the required number of signatures on nominating petitions.
"We were trying to be inclusive of the male population and felt that because of this, we shouldn't allow a woman to run for the position," said Cheryl Banks, a committee member last year and this year's homecoming queen.
Miller said a rule change this year abolished the petitions and required that candidates be nominated by student ballots.
Jones said she didn't even know she was nominated until she saw her name on the final ballots that were distributed Feb. 13. Those ballots had been reviewed the night before by only half of the homecoming committee members at a hurriedly scheduled meeting, the News-Post reported.
Sophomore Jovanni Mahonez, who chaired this year's committee, said that before the ballots were distributed, she told both Miller and Olivia White, dean of students, that Jones was a king candidate.
Miller said the meeting was "more of an FYI than for her asking our permission."
