Prom is supposed to be a special event for every student, but one Nashville, Tennessee high school senior was refused entry for wearing a suit rather than a dress.
B Hayes, an 18-year-old, non-binary student at Nashville Christian School, said the school’s dress code disallowed them from wearing the all-black suit they arrived in at the event.
Banned Student’s Post Goes Viral and Garners Support
Hayes, who uses they/he pronouns, shared a photo of themselves standing outside the prom venue holding a sign that reads: “They wouldn’t let me in because I’m in a suit.”
The Instagram post caption reads: “My name is B Hayes. I'm 18 years old and i’ve been attending Nashville Christian School for 13 years. My senior prom was today and I wasn’t allowed in the doors because I was wearing a suit. I should not have to conform to femininity to attend my senior prom. I will not compromise who I am to fit in a box. Who are you to tell us what it means to be a woman?”
The post quickly went viral and garnered a lot of support for the teen.
Nashville Christian School provided a statement to NPR explaining that the school “has established dress requirements for daily school attendance and at our special events. All students and families are aware of and sign an agreement to these guidelines when they enroll.”
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“While we certainly respect a student’s right to disagree, all of our students know from our school handbook that when they do not follow such expectations at school-sponsored events, they may be asked to leave.”
The school’s 2022-2023 handbook states, “God created us as male or female, and we will live consistently with the gender God chose for us. These two different, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.”
The handbook also forbids event-goers from taking a date of the same gender or sex.
“It’s been amazing to see so many people share, like and comment on my post. I never imagined it would get this amount of attention,” Hayes told the Washington Post in an email.
Local Businesses Plan Inclusive Prom
The post was shared on a popular Instagram account called A Girl Has No President and caught the attention of Marcie Allen Van Mol, who owns AB Hillsboro Village, a live-music venue in Nashville, with her husband.
Van Mol, a stepparent to two teenage daughters, was heartbroken for the teen.
“You have an 18-year-old young adult who is trying to enjoy their last five weeks of their senior year and experience a prom as we all did,” she said. “That simple thing is a rite of passage.”
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Her husband agreed and the pair wanted to help out. They decided to host a private prom at their venue to give Hayes and some friends a chance to celebrate the important milestone.
Van Mol went to social media to solicit support and people and small businesses immediately offered to pitch in for everything from décor and flowers to a photo booth to food.
Thousands Raised in Support of Teen
A GoFundMe page called “throw the ultimate prom for B” was started and it raised more than $26,000 on the first day. The amount has now reached $38,000.
To support small businesses while supporting Hayes, the money collected will be used to pay the small businesses that help put on the prom.
“The power of small businesses and how they lift up and support their communities is staggering,” Van Mol said.
Any additional funds they raise will go to Inclusion Tennessee and Oasis Center — two charities selected by Hayes that support LGBTQ rights.
The prom for Hayes is planned for May 6, and they will invite 25 friends to attend. R&B artist Tone Stith will put on a private performance.
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Hayes says they are grateful to have received so much support.
“Knowing that not only the Nashville community is behind me but people all over the country are supporting the issue is incredible to see,” they said in an email to the Washington Post.
“I hope the awareness can bring about positive change and that more students in the future feel strong enough to stand up for freedom of expression.”
Van Mol hopes that this starts a domino effect.
“We hope that cities and states and countries all watch this and see how one act of kindness can spawn thousands of acts of kindness,” she said. “We can fight hate with love.”
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.