A Massachusetts high school senior has been nominated for prom king -- and he happens to be transgender.
Nicholas Bulman, 19, told The Cape Cod Times he wasn't surprised when his Barnstable High School classmates were supportive of him when he came out as transgender last summer. He was surprised, though, when he learned he was nominated as prom king.
“A classmate came up and said, ‘You’re on the ballot,’” Bulman said. “I didn’t know what that meant.”
Bulman is up against four other nominees, all of whom were selected by teachers, teacher Lyn Vasquez told the Times. Bulman’s involvement in extracurricular activities and positive attitude, she said, made him an ideal candidate.
“He’s just an all-around great person,” Vazquez said.
Bulman, who used to be known as Nicole, said he struggled with his gender identity until learning of the term "transgender" in the eighth grade. He began testosterone treatment last summer at Boston Children's Hospital's Gender Management Service and underwent surgery in March.
Bulman chronicles his journey in Instagram posts.
“I am now putting myself on the road toward being comfortable in my own skin,” one post reads.
Bulman plans to go to Bridgewater State University in the fall and study psychology. In the short term, he said he’s excited to experience prom on Friday.
“I just want to go and dance with my friends, see my classmates all dressed up,” Bulman said. “That’s the best part of prom.”
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