Nashville seniors banned from prom for wearing suits

Not dressed, not in.

Nashville Christian School banned an 18-year-old student from their own senior prom for refusing to conform to its dress code, NPR reports.

B Hayes, 18, who identifies as non-binary, revealed in an Instagram post over the weekend that they were prevented from taking part in the prom because of a planned outfit, holding up a sign that read: They won’t let me in because I’m wearing a suit .

I didn’t have to conform to femininity to go to my senior prom. I’m not going to compromise who I am to get into the box. Who are you to tell us what it means to be a woman? Hayes captioned the photo.

Nashville Christian School, a private female institution for ages 6 weeks through 12th grade, did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

He online handbook have strict beliefs about gender: “God’s identity created us as either male or female, and we will live consistently with the gender God chose for us.”

The school notified NPR in a statement that it has established dress requirements for our daily school attendance and at our special events. All students and families acknowledge and sign agreement to these guidelines when they register.

Students and their families are aware of the expectations for prom outfits before events.

“While we respect a student’s right to disagree, all of our students know from our school handbook that when they do not comply with such expectations at a school-sponsored event, they may be asked to drop out,” the school told NPR.

Hayes’ Instagram post made some people angry that the school would ban a student from attending their own prom because of the choice of dress.

“Sucks,” commented one user on Hayes’ Instagram post.

“You fought well,” wrote another.

The post got so much traffic, members of the local community stepped in to offer support, with some suggesting holding a prom especially for Hayes.

Locals Marcie Allen Van Mol and her husband, Derek Van Mol, who together own live music and event space in Nashville, offered up their venue. Marcie Van Mol told NPR that it could serve as “a safe place for the B’s to celebrate their prom”,

He led the charge and enlisted a local business owner to help him plan the prom for Hayes and their friends.

Co-owner Alison Holley created a GoFundMe account titled “Throw Major Prom for B” to raise money for the event, which has secured a photo booth, flowers, and an appearance by R&B musician Tone Stith, according to NPR.

The page has exceeded its $25,000 target, securing more than $28,000 heading into the big night.

Hayes will be celebrating their big moment with 25 of their friends. Additional funds raised will be donated to Inclusion Tennessee and the Oasis Center.