ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando County Public Schools officials will allow Anthony Martinez to run for prom queen at Cypress Creek High School, despite allegations the principal initially rejected the idea.

Martinez told WFTV he approached Cypress Creek High School Principal John McHale about his desire to run for homecoming queen and alleges McHale shot down the idea because he’s a boy.

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“I started crying,” Martinez said. “Like, it made me really emotional considering how hard I was trying to be queen.”

Martinez said his boyfriend, Joncarlo Medina, is running for homecoming king, according to WHIO.

WFTV reporter Mike Manzoni credits himself with intervening in the ordeal and persuading school officials to change course, though the district’s anti-discrimination policy already prohibits discrimination based on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”

“When Manzoni contacted the school district for answers,” the news site reports, “a spokeswoman said Martinez is eligible to run for the king or queen position.”

“The Cypress Creek High School principal did not consult with the central office, but made what he thought was an appropriate decision at the time,” the spokeswoman wrote in an email.

The district’s anti-discrimination policy states:

All students attending school in the Orange County Public Schools district shall be treated according to a unitary code which applies equally, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or express, genetic information, language spoken, homelessness, or any other reason prohibited by law.

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McHale later emailed Manzoni to confirm Martinez is eligible to run for homecoming queen. The big day is Oct. 8.

Virtually everyone who commented about the situation online seemed to think the district should prevent male students from running for homecoming queen.

“This PC crap needs to stop,” Samantha Snyder posted to the WFTV Facebook page. “I could understand if he was transgender … which he isn’t. He’s just a dude who wants for him and his man to win homecoming (king and queen), and then had a hissy fit when he was told no.

“You’re not a girl, or trans, suck it up buttercup!”

“Seriously I have to agree 100%,” Crystal Adams wrote. “You do not get to become homecoming king and queen! That would be a girl and a boy! I’m not against gay couple, it’s none of my business how they live or who they love, but I think the school board needs to stand their ground on this one!”

“I understand if one can be the king, that’s OK with me, but in my days the queen didn’t carry any nuts!” Danny Rivera added. “Going too far with all this mess. Don’t try to twist school regulations!”

“Queen?” Daff Torrance questioned. “Acting like a queen doesn’t make you a queen. I’m all for expressing yourself freely. For example, if he wanted to wear a dress to homecoming. If they allow him to run for queen, then they’ll have to allow all the little tom boys to run for king if they desire to. I agree with the principal because I wouldn’t even open that can of worms …”