Transgender student wins bid to wear dress to prom

A 19-year-old transgender Spring student has won a fight to wear a dress to prom.

Spring ISD sent a letter to the American Civil Liberties Union agreeing to allow George "Tony" Zamazal, a student at Spring High School, to wear a dress, pump-style shoes, makeup and a wig to prom on May 11. Previously, a school administrator had said Zamazal must wear a tuxedo.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time," the teen said Thursday night.

In a statement released earlier in the day, Zamazal said she wanted to wear a dress to prom "because I wouldn't have felt comfortable at all showing up in a tux. I'm so grateful that my school has agreed to let me be myself on such an important night."

While Zamazal's initial request was denied, the principal said she did not object to the request, but she needed to ask the school board because it was a "community decision." A March 26 letter from the school district's attorney stated that Zamazal must meet the standards of the dress code for females, including dresses that reach at least mid-thigh and neatly kept hair.

A protected right

"Spring ISD has not denied any student the right to wear a dress to prom. Students who choose to wear a dress to prom need to adhere to the dress code," district spokeswoman Karen Garrison said Thursday.

The ACLU sent a letter to the principal on March 18, explaining that federal law and the U.S. Constitution protect Zamazal's right to wear a dress to prom. The school district responded last week and affirmed that it would allow Zamazal to attend the prom in the formal clothing of her choice.

"Tony has the right under both federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution to express her gender identity," said Adriana Pinon, ACLU of Texas senior staff attorney. "Students' legal rights aren't something that public schools get to put up to a vote. We're happy to see the school do the right thing."

Gender and sexuality issues at high school proms have arisen frequently in recent years. Just last month, an openly gay Missouri teenager won the right to bring his boyfriend to prom.

In 2011, a Michigan high school decided to allow a gender-neutral prom court after having denied a transgender student the title of homecoming king.

About 410 people have signed a change.org petition on Zamazal's behalf since February.

"Not only is this discrimination, but it is the beginning of bullying," wrote Lexi Woods, a transgender model from The Woodlands area who started the petition. "Fortunately, I was able to attend my senior prom at Oak Ridge High School with a same sex partner and there was no argument."

A recent admission

Zamazal said she admitted to herself in last few months that she's transgender. The teen has worn women's clothes before, but not to the degree she'll be wearing on prom night.

Zamazal said she asked for permission to wear a dress and didn't want to just show up, get turned away and make a scene.

"It was very relieving to find out they were going to let me without a fight," Zamazal said.

She'll be wearing a single-strap full-length dress that night, escorted by a roommate.