Their idea to go to the dance together initially started as a joke. “The team is very supportive and multiple teammates have approached me to congratulate me and have given me ‘respect’ for my actions.” “I’m setting an example for not only my school, but also my community,” Pineda said. Pineda told Instinct Magazine that as a straight football player, he wanted to set a good example for their fellow classmates - that straight and gay men can be friends. In an Instagram video of the proposal, Pineda made his way through a crowd of cheering students and hugged Duarte to accept his offer for homecoming.
Marine Corps sparks outrage with rainbow bullets to mark Pride monthĪ 17-year-old gay student went viral on social media after asking his straight friend, who is the captain of their high school football team in California, to homecoming.Īlexander Duarte, a high school senior at Valley High School in Santa Ana, said he made the proposition to his BFF Erick Pineda, 17, last Thursday on National Coming Out Day.ĭuarte asked his pal to the dance with a banner, which read, “I know I am gay, but can I take you straight to homecoming?” Where are the men of courage? They're gone thanks to 'toxic masculinity' Lynda Carter defends Wonder Woman as 'a superhero for bisexuals' How to address major life changes with co-workers
