Kim Burgess

Albuquerque Journal

ALBUQUERQUE - Seventeen-year-olds K’la Nieto and Devin Mares have been best friends since middle school, going through all the usual teen dramas — and a life-altering transition.

The two seniors, both born female, came out as transgender early in high school.

It was a difficult process — Devin said he was threatened by boys and ignored by girls — but they could also lean on each other, reported the Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/2ju5ulc).

This fall, they decided to take another step together.

Each ran for homecoming king and was voted a member of the courts, Devin at Atrisco Heritage Academy and K’la at West Mesa.

“I’m really glad I did it,” Devin said. “It was my last chance to be involved with school because I’m going to graduate.”

The friends are likely the first transgender youth in Albuquerque to be part of a homecoming court, according to Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico co-director Adrien Lawyer.

“This is what being trans can look like,” Lawyer said. “They are setting an example. It doesn’t have to be a life of discrimination and violence.”

The two teens didn’t realize they were blazing a trail, but they grin and do a fist-bump when they hear the news.

“That is awesome,” Devin said, between slices of pepperoni at Dion’s, his favorite hangout. “Doing it, you don’t really see it as a big deal, but when you look back at it, most trans people don’t have that confidence to run for homecoming court.”

The two are naturally “social butterflies,” Devin said, with many friends across their respective schools, so they felt comfortable putting themselves out there.

Campaigning for homecoming also gave them a chance to answer questions about transgender life, including sensitive ones on hormones and gender reassignment surgery.

“People ask me what it’s like, and I tell them, it’s just who you are,” K’la said. “You just have to be yourself.”

Overall, both feel like their schools are friendly places.

The bullying has stopped, Devin said, and most peers don’t seem to have any problems with his identity.

Tanya Kuhnee, K’la’s English teacher at West Mesa High, agreed that transgender students generally receive good support from Albuquerque Public Schools.

“I have to be honest, I have been really impressed with how our entire school community is accepting and kind,” she said. “It is not a judgmental community.”

This summer, APS crafted new protections for transgender students, allowing them to change their names, gender pronouns and clothing style. Most controversially, they also can access restrooms and locker rooms where they feel comfortable.

The directive generated swift outcry.

Critics argue that APS is catering to a minority and creating uncomfortable, even dangerous, conditions for other students. A core group of detractors has spoken out at every school board meeting since that time, calling for a meeting with APS leadership.

Districts across the country are dealing with transgender issues.

In May, the Obama administration released new regulations requiring all schools to provide transgender students with access to restrooms that match their gender identities.

After school boards in several states fought the rule, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to weigh in.

K’la and Devin said they haven’t followed any of the developments but appreciate APS’ effort on the directive.

“They can consider people being different from other people and let them do what they gotta do,” K’la said.

The two friends plan to continue their activism after they graduate.

Devin eventually hopes to film a documentary about transgender men, highlighting their diverse backgrounds. He also would like to open a safe house to help homeless transgender teens and offer mentorship.

“I would tell other trans kids who are thinking about making the transition that it’s not going to be easy,” Devin said. “You are always going to be hit with something, but that’s simply life. Your transition truly helps you grow and be in tune with yourself because you realize everything doesn’t come easy.”