Same-Sex Sweethearts Named Cutest Couple in High School Yearbook

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Jun 8, 2012 in Inspirgaytion | 5 comments

Becca Fernandez and Destinee Gates: The cutest

Graduating seniors Destinee Gates and girlfriend Becca Fernandez have been happily dating since freshman year, but even they were surprised to learn they had been named Cutest Couple in the Calaveras High School yearbook!

“It’s a big deal because we’re from a really conservative county and it hasn’t happened before,” said Gates, 18.

The couple has been openly dating since freshman year without any major problems, but worried about a backlash when they were named cutest couple in the yearbook two weeks ago.

“We’ve been pretty well accepted,” said Fernandez, 19. “I love this school,” Gates added.

Principal Ric Stitt said he understands why outsiders might be surprised by the senior vote, but said he’s found the community to be very tolerant.

“Calaveras County and a lot of our rural counties often get stereotyped as being unaccepting,” Stitt said. “And I think that’s a false perception.”

Both (cuuuute) young ladies will be attending Columbia College in Sonora in the fall.

You go, girls.

Kaoru Negisa

I’m really glad to hear this, but I don’t think it’s such a shock that people assume that Calaveras county is bigoted. They haven’t gone for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson. They voted overwhelmingly for Meg Wittman in the last election. Their representative is Dan Lungren who is rated 0% by HRC, voted against prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and voted for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

So yea, I have no doubt that people in the county can be accepting of people they actually know. That’s the basic level of courtesy you should expect for any human being, but that doesn’t qualify them as “tolerant.” It just means they don’t harass kids, which is a good thing, but not worth the cookie that Stitt seems to be fishing for.

Sorry, I know this wasn’t the point of the post and I think it’s wonderful, but I get really annoyed at people who try to make a big deal of their personal tolerance while supporting people who then go and make life miserable for thousands of others.

artemismeow

Politics determine if someone is bigoted? : as an anarchist i don’t understand this it would be nice if someone explained. I don’t know what an HRC is for example and I often wonder if the lgbt is being pressured into one political affiliation or another for the sake of identity. This is disturbing to me because by defenition the lgbt community is about diversity. Well it’s the end of my politically charged rant. ^_^ congrats go to the students they are so beautiful together.

http://www.kateescapenj.blogspot.com Katie Andrews

Aww I’ve never seen that before!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501604159 Owen Stephens

Not a false perception Mr. Stitt, to those of us who grew up in the county and received the worst of it. Perhaps you should call it an evolving perception. Even 10-15 years ago, it was a dangerous place to be out, not because of the wonderful people who are/were accepting/safe/mentoring/empowering, but the power and voice held by the hurtful ones who were not. That said, I am so very happy to read this, and so proud of the generation who did something mine did not have the knowledge or sense of realization to do. I will even forgive Calaveras High for painting all my frogs red!
sarahdamerow

Aw they are a cute couple and wish them the best of luck in college and the future.

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