Campaign launched for teens wanting to express their chosen gender on prom night
‘Be Yourself At Prom’ encourages teens to be open and honest about themselves on prom night.
Queer teenagers are being offered the chance to wear a custom-made, designer prom outfit, as part of a new campaign to celebrate gender expressions.
Designers Sharpe Suiting and NiK Kacy are encouraging high school students to share their views on why gender expression is important – as well as their ideas for a dream prom outfit.
One winner will be chosen to receive a complete, custom prom outfit.
The competition, known as the ‘Love Fellowship’, is named after Louisiana teen Claudetteia Love, who last year bravely fought for her right to wear a tuxedo to prom.
She was initially banned from attending in “masculine” attire, before planning a boycott of the prom.
Her school unsurprisingly changed their minds following a media backlash.
“The Love Fellowship celebrates the inclusion of all gender expressions,” the Love Prom website states.
“Historically prom, an important right of passage for high school teens, has upheld rigid gendered expectations.
“In support of all the teens challenging gender norms, the Love Fellowship annually chooses one teen to receive a complete prom outfit tailor made to match their gender identity.”
“High school is a time in a person’s life when they start exploring who they are going to be and how they are going to express themselves,” Wu told The Huffington Post.
“How are they seen in the world? Will the world accept them for who they are?
“Forcing youth to conform to rigid male-female gender expressions that don’t accurately reflect their identities nullifies this celebration.”
“We should be striving to nurture individuality and creativity, and understand that each expression of self is valid,” he added.
A winner will be chosen at the end of the month.
