In late April, a teen in Tennessee shared their story via Instagram, in which they were banned from their senior prom because they wore a suit instead of a dress.
The student, B. Hayes, is 18 and uses they/he pronouns. They attend a Nashville Christian school and wrote in an Instagram caption at the time, “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?”
Now, after an outpouring of support from across the country, the teen was gifted their “ultimate prom.”
Due to a GoFundMe fundraiser, around $40,000 was raised from 47 states to throw a new prom, and an Instagram post from the venue shared on May 7, “It’s so important for young people to see themselves represented in the world around them, and last night’s prom was a powerful reminder that we are all loved and accepted, no matter who we are, who we love or what we wear. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible and donated to the @gofundme campaign.”
“B- you inspired us and the rest of the world with your courage and voice,” the venue’s caption continued.
According to the post, the prom was put together in just 10 days with help from several local businesses and artists who showed up to perform. B and 25 of their friends were treated to a night to remember, including performances from Tone Stith, Bryant Taylorr, Grace Bowers and Paul McDonald, DJ Housequake, and Tyler Martinez.
The venue also shared photos from Taylor Swift‘s Nashville concert, which B and friends were able to attend thanks to the support.
They even met singer and Swift opener Phoebe Bridgers, which was captured with a sweet snap in a post on Instagram.
They also thanked the Tennessee Titans account for the tickets.
The Vampire Diaries actor Candice King commented, “Yayayay!!!” in support.
B themselves also posted a photo wearing the glittering rainbow cape worn by Jonathan Van Ness in Taylor Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down” music video.
“Thank you so much for this amazing experience! To all the local businesses who helped, I love you, and you guys brought this whole thing together I can’t thank you enough!” they said.