ModernLove

Accolade

Jaimie Chun

Managing Editor

“Since we’re both fruity, let me take your booty to HOCO.”

Senior Clarissa Arteaga wrote this message in rainbow letters on a large cardstock poster last September.

Arteaga was standing in the hallway next to the quad, holding up the sign and a bouquet of roses during lunch — eight days before homecoming as passing students stopped to watch the proposal. It was for her girlfriend, senior Lola Orozco.

“I was really nervous and scared because people were watching, but I thought it was cute,” Orozco said.

Though the two went to their first party together last year, Arteaga said she debated publicly proposing for a week before finally mustering up the courage for their last homecoming together.

“Especially because we’re two girls, it might be seen as weird, but then I don’t really care what the other people hanging around think,” Arteaga said.

Principal Craig Weinreich said this was his first time seeing or hearing of two queer students publicly proposing in his 24 years as a teacher and administrator.

Though Arteaga’s hoco asking remains a rare sight on campus, coming forth with LGBTQ+ relationships is a growing trend — though openness still has its consequences.

Growing LGBTQ+ relationships >> Page 10