Principal placed on leave after drag queen performance at New Mexico high school prom

A New Mexico public high school principal has been placed on leave after approving a drag queen to perform at the school’s prom without parental knowledge.

Irene Cisneros, principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy in the Albuquerque Public Schools district, was placed on leave along with some other staff, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

In a viral video from the prom, Dylan Payan, who performs drag as “Mythica Sahreen,” took the stage, dressed in a body suit, thigh-high boots and padded pantyhose. 

Outraged parents deemed the event “inappropriate” and “lewd.” 

“What did they think they were going to get out of it?” one parent asked, according to the New York Post. “Like that’s so inappropriate.”  

“It’s just like ‘oh my God, can you believe this happened?’” one mother said, according to KRQE.  

Another parent requested a refund for her children’s prom tickets.  

In an interview with local TV station KOAT, Payan said that his attire and performance were both approved by school administrators beforehand. 

“Multiple staff members saw me and what I was wearing and knew what I was doing,” he said. “If something was wrong, they would have told me. Everything that I wore was talked about on the phone in detail. 

“It was not an issue when I performed at the school many times before, years ago, with the exact same dance moves.” 

District parents questioned why the school administration didn’t inform them of the performance.  

“Why were the parents not warned that this was going to be happening at a school function?” Morgan, the mother of a student, told KRQE. “It’s still a school function, parents should still be made aware of the situation whether it’s a dance at school, sports; parents should be made aware of what is happening.”  

Payan also acknowledged the importance of parental awareness.  

“I was given the full clearance from administration, from the student body, from the prom officers, from the activities coordinator, everything was a go,” Payan told KOAT. “I do understand there should have been more parenting knowledge. 

“More in terms of letting the parents know, like, ‘Hey, just so you know, there is going to be a drag queen that is going to be performing at prom.’ I’ll agree with that. That’s out of respect for the parents and the kids for the fact that these kids, yeah, they’re still living at home. They are still their parents’.” 

Friday, the district sent an email announcing the appointment of an acting principle to replace Cisneros, whose employment status is still unclear. Other staff members were also reportedly placed on leave. 

“I want to inform you that Anthony Lovato has been appointed as the acting principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy,” the email stated. “Please join us in welcoming Mr. Lovato to the Atrisco Heritage Community.”