The student body at University of North Texas will vote this week to decide whether same-sex couples can run for homecoming court. The possibility of allowing same-sex couples in a prominent social position may signal a cultural shift for UNT.

Currently, homecoming king and queen run as couples and not individuals. Earlier this year student activists protested a Senate vote that banned same-sex couples from running for homecoming. In response, the Senate passed a motion by 22-1 that called for a referendum of the student body on the issue.

From Monday, November 16th to Friday, November 20th, students at UNT will be able to cast ballots and decide for themselves whether homosexual couples can run for Homecoming Court.

The Student Government Association (SGA) has remained neutral in the election process.

“SGA brought [the election] to a student body vote because a group of students at UNT wanted to see a change in homecoming tradition,” the SGA website says. “To be totally diplomatic, SGA felt allowing the student body to decide would be the only logical way.”

Student response to the legislation has been mixed, hence SGA decided to approach the idea with a democratic process.

Dakota Carter, the student government association president, is confident in the students’ judgment.

“We’re educated people; we’re going to vote the way we believe this should turn out, and I’m putting faith in [the student body] to decide this and make sure that the right thing happens.”


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