Posing in a fiery red skirt and a sequin-speckled tuxedo top that perfectly matches his scarlet-colored hair, 16-year-old Korben White blew up the internet with the billowing ballgown he wore to his high school prom.
A viral post shared by Nina Green, the mother of a teenage boy preparing for prom, has sparked a mix of admiration and criticism. Supporters of the woke movement lauded his elegant gown, while detractors engaged in shaming, arguing that it reflects a parent’s “failure” to support such choices.
At the age of 12, Korben White expressed to his mother his desire to attend his school prom wearing a gown.
In 2022, just four years after this declaration, the teenager, who identifies as a “sassy” young drag queen named Miss Frou Frou, fulfilled his wish.
In an interview with the BBC, Green elaborated on her son’s motivation. “He wanted to present himself authentically, showcasing his feminine side with a tuxedo on top and a dress on the bottom, heavily inspired by [American actor] Billy Porter.” She added, “He aimed to be Korben…but in a dress.”
And when he stepped out of the car in the sparkly red outfit paired with a white shirt and a giant red bow, Korben’s big reveal was applauded by both staff and students at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, Norfolk.
Upon exiting the vehicle, a wave of cheers erupted, and I found myself in tears, along with several teachers, as he embraced his true identity,” expressed the proud mother regarding Korben. “The support has been overwhelming, and his peers have been remarkable. Allowing your child to be their authentic self will yield the best results.”
As Korben’s most ardent supporter, Green further demonstrated her unwavering encouragement through a tweet on July 1.
Accompanied by several images of Korben in his stunning attire, Green stated, “At the age of 12, my son expressed his desire to attend his school prom in a gown. Four years later, we made that dream a reality. I am immensely proud of him for staying true to himself, and the warm reception he received from his entire school was extraordinary.”
Her post garnered significant attention, with millions of users worldwide sharing, commenting, and praising the dapper young man.
It even reached Michelle Visage, a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, who said, “You are an amazing beautiful mom and your child is a STAR.”
Korben said it was “very surreal” that his mother’s tweet captured the attention of Visage.
“To me she is such an icon, a wonderful celebrity and I really admire her,” he said.
Green did not anticipate that her display of support would generate such a significant response. She expressed that her intention was simply to showcase her son “living his best life,” which subsequently prompted other parents to seek her guidance.
Several individuals shared images and narratives about their own children who challenge traditional gender norms.
One commenter stated, “I am concerned for my son; he would love to express himself in this way at prom, but he would certainly lack the backing of his peers! It is disheartening that homophobia persists even today. Congratulations to you, your son, and his school!”
Another individual remarked, “I am thrilled for your son; he looked absolutely stunning! My son is transgender, and after enduring three years of transphobic bullying, I had to withdraw him from school in January before his GCSEs for his mental well-being. He had always planned to attend prom in a tuxedo, but he was denied that opportunity.”
A third simply writes, “Absolutely stunning! My daughter wore a suit to hers!”
Meanwhile, the positivity was met a string of other comments, which serve as a reminder that not everyone is on the same social path.
One writes, “There is very little hope for civilization,” and a second shares, “…Vile, Woke & a failure as a parent in encouraging this sort of thing. A 12 year old boy should be playing football and learning to be a man. But, sadly people now a days virtue signal, like what you’re doing with this tweet, and ruin their kids for life. Shame.”
Another netizen says the support for Green’s post is troubling. “There is absolutely nothing natural about a ‘boy’ dressing like a ‘girl’–the support shows just how screwed up our world is.” And one cyber fan goes so far as to suggests the world is lacking logic, “We live in a world where children should no longer pretend to be Indians but men should pretend to be women. Utopian.”
Nevertheless, a resolute advocate for her son, Green refused to yield to the vitriol encountered online.
The day following the tweet that garnered widespread attention, Green attended London Pride with her son, sharing a heartwarming photograph of their time together.
One social media user remarked, “My son participated as well, and I couldn’t be prouder. He’s also at London Pride today at the age of 16; it’s a wonderful expression of love for you and your family.” Another added, “You both look fantastic xx.”
Conversely, a third individual criticized the mother, stating, “Your son doesn’t resemble a man anymore; he looks like some kind of fa****.”
In response to the negativity, Green expressed on Twitter that she chooses to disregard such comments, hoping that her relationship with Korben will inspire other children and parents.
“I sincerely hope it encourages others to be more accepting, allowing proud parents to feel supported and to celebrate their children. I want young people to know there is a community available if they need it,” she stated. “It is essential to accept your children for who they are.”
Korben Green undoubtedly demonstrates remarkable courage in expressing his identity! He is indeed fortunate to have a mother who remains steadfast in her support, tuning out the negativity while nurturing him in the best manner she knows.
What do you think of teens attending prom in outfits that don’t represent their genders assigned at birth?
Please share this story and let’s see what others have to say!
