Georgia School District Cites Federal Law to Block Trans Student From Homecoming Queen Ballot — Student Launches Petition

Riley Williams, a student at Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale, says she was barred from running for homecoming queen because Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) uses the sex listed on a student’s birth records rather than their gender identity. Williams launched a Change.org petition on September 22 asking school districts and state officials to allow students to participate in extracurricular activities consistent with 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."

CCPS told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV the district's decision stems from its interpretation of current federal guidance under Title IX, which the district said recognizes gender distinctions based on biological sex. In its statement, CCPS said it relies on the birth gender reflected in a student's official educational records for determinations about gender-specific roles in school activities.

CCPS Statement (Paraphrased): "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. 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."

The district did not point to any specific federal statute or regulation that expressly requires excluding transgender students from participating in homecoming court roles that align with their gender identity. Legal experts note that federal Title IX guidance has shifted over time and can be subject to differing interpretations depending on administration and enforcement priorities.

Legal And Legislative Context

In 2025, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act, which restricts transgender students' participation in school athletics based on sex assigned at birth. Analysis by the law firm Fisher Phillips indicates those provisions address athletic participation and related facilities and accommodations rather than eligibility for homecoming court positions.

Clayton County is also the defendant named in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which held that discrimination against employees for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. That ruling concerns employment discrimination under Title VII, a different federal statute from Title IX, which governs education.

Petition And Reaction

Williams' petition calls on state education officials and local school boards to adopt inclusive participation guidelines so that students can take part in activities consistent with their gender identity. As of Monday, the petition had nearly 1,900 signatures. Williams said the effort seeks not only to secure her own right to run but to set a precedent so other transgender students can participate without exclusion.

Advocates for transgender students argue that school activities like homecoming should be inclusive and that denying participation can harm students’ sense of belonging and well-being. Supporters of CCPS's position say the district is attempting to follow federal guidance as it understands it and that school systems must balance legal compliance with student inclusion.

This article first appeared on Advocate under the headline "Georgia school district invokes federal law to deny trans girl a shot at homecoming queen."