A student at a school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was refused entry into her own prom because she wanted to wear a suit.
Aniya Wolf, who identifies as lesbian, has always dressed in a less traditionally ‘girly’ way since she was a young child, and had worn a shirt and trousers every day of her three years at Bishop McDevitt high school.
Wolf had purchased a suit especially for the prom, but a last-minute email was circulated saying that girls were required to wear dresses to prom.
Previously the dress code circulated had stated that there were rules about how much skin girls could show, but no gender-specific clothing requirements.
Naturally, Wolf felt that she would not be comfortable in a dress so her mother Carolyn called the school to make a complaint.
Wolf decided to chance it and show up at the prom anyway, according to ABC 27, but was kicked out as you can see in the video below.
She said, “I think my experience shouldn’t be any different than anyone else’s because of something I was born with.”
The school released a statement on Facebook:
“Bishop McDevitt High School held its annual prom on Friday, May 6, 2016.
Without question, we love, respect and cherish all of our students.
The dress code for the prom specified girls must wear formal dresses. It also stated that students who failed to follow the dress code would not be admitted.
The full dress code policy was sent to parents about three months ago. A reminder was sent to all students on March 6. On Friday afternoon, when it was brought to the attention of the school administration that a female student was planning to wear a tuxedo, we contacted her mother in hopes we could resolve the situation.
It’s important to note that students who haven’t adhered to the dress code in past years haven’t been admitted to the prom.
Bishop McDevitt will continue to practice acceptance and love for all of our students. They are tremendous young men and women. We simply ask that they follow the rules that we have put into place.”
