DENTON - The University of North Texas Student Government Association is allowing students to decide if a new rule allowing same sex couples to represent the university as homecoming king and queen needs to be in the bylaws.

Voting a couple to homecoming court has been a UNT tradition for nearly 120 year history. The homecoming king and queen have always been a man and a woman. But, students could change that by deciding whether a same-sex couple could be crowned.

"I don't see why a homosexual couple cannot be allowed to be king or queen," said Alex Christensen, a student at UNT. "They're still couples. I don't see why it's a big deal."

Students are able to vote on the controversial issue online.

"I mean it's a big issue," said Blake Windham, a UNT student. "It's not really been proposed anywhere else."

Windham voted "no" and started a Facebook page urging others to do the same.

In two weeks, he received 1,200 hits, with the majority also voicing opposition to same-sex couples running for positions on homecoming court.

"I mean, a lot of people in this group have been labeled bigots or homophobic," he said.

Windham said he started the group "just to preserve a tradition."

Some students say it isn't a gay issue because a gay male student, who didn't win, ran for king for the 2008-2009 UNT homecoming.

"If you take it to where it is a homosexual couple then you are excluding a gender," said Julian Johnson, another UNT student. "If it is two men, then you are excluding a woman."

Students have until Friday to vote. UNT will have election results on Monday.

The University of Texas at Dallas said it does not have a gender specific policy for homecoming court nominations. Students can vote for anyone in any of the positions.

E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com