[Pantyholic]

A New Jersey student, who is a cross-dresser, spoke to Eyewitness News about his fight to go to the prom in a knee-length black dress and heels.

"Yea, I'm a cross dresser," said student Derrek Lutz.

And as an aspiring fashion designer, shopping for senior prom is easy.

"Everything's set. I got my dress, the shoes, my friend's gonna do my hair," Lutz explained.

Lutz had no worries until he was told Thursday that wearing the dress to the prom would violate the school's dress code.

"I was asked to go to the principal's office," Lutz said. "Basically, he just said I couldn't wear a dress to prom."

The 18-year-old said he put up the best fight he could.

"It goes to my knees when I wear it, so it should pass completely."

But he knew he was running out of time.

The prom will be at the Wildwood Convention Center Saturday evening at 7 p.m., and Lutz says with or without the school's permission, he would be there.

"What makes me a woman is inside and it doesn't really matter what's on the outside. And everyone should really just be treated equally," Lutz said.

So Lutz planned to show up with his female date, not to protest, but to participate in the festivities however he could.

In the meantime, his friends started a petition and collected more than 600 signatures. Hundreds more joined a Facebook page created and titled: "Let Derrek Lutz Wear A Dress To Prom."

In response, the school's principal told Eyewitness News: "There was a discussion between the principal and a student. That discussion was taken to other parties in the district and the issue was resolved."

Lutz says he heard the district's legal advisor got involved, and whatever the reason, the high school senior is relieved he prevailed.

"People shouldn't have to deal with this in the future and I'm really glad that Cape May County has moved on."

Source cbs3.com

[mic091221]

Now that is a person who is totally comfortable with himself. Good going

[Alison]

Well done young person!

Good for you on standing up for what you believe in, at such a young age.

AND, well done all his friends who supported him and got the petition going too.
How easy it would have been to make fun of Derrek instead of assisting him.

God how I wish I'd had that sort of conviction and support when I was 18!!!!

[aerlinthe]

i so wish i could wear a dress out without being crucified by everyone

[ant1981]

Stupid schools and their rules, we weren'teven allowed to have long hair when I was in school - not that I wanted it back then. Just let him go in the dress already, sadly though, if he did, and there was no media attention, he'd probably get a beating for it by a buch of jocks.

[saintj00]

wow, wish I had that kind of strength in high school.

Huzzah for him!!

[satinguy469]

Good for him for taking a stand at such an early age.