A 16-year-old boy, Korben Green won the internet after wearing a floor-length sequined red dress to his school prom after his mother Nina Green shared her son’s pictures on her Twitter.
Nina captioned her images: ‘At age 12, my son announced he wanted to go to his school prom in a gown. Four years later we made it happen.
‘I’m so incredibly proud of him for being true to himself and the reception he got from his whole school was incredible.’
She also tagged RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, asking for her thoughts, to which the American celebrity replied: ‘Ohhhhhhhh yes! You are an amazing, beautiful mom and your child is a STAR.’
At age 12 my son announced he wanted to go to his school #prom in a gown. Four years later we made it happen. I’m so incredibly #proud of him for being true to himself & the reception he got from his whole school was incredible. What do you think @michellevisage @theebillyporter pic.twitter.com/lsLKnmY9k5
— Nina Green (@thisisneenz) July 1, 2022
Mrs. Green said she wanted to show him “living his best life” – and had no idea her positive message would “go crazy” in the way it had.
“As soon as he got out of the car, everyone just cheered and I was crying, some of the teachers were crying, because he was being who he wanted to be,” she said.
“Everyone has been very supportive, and his year group has been incredible.
“If you let your child be who they are then you’ll get nothing but the best out of them.
“There are people in the world who still don’t understand, but the feeling of acceptance, you can’t beat that feeling.
“I am so happy for him.”
“The next day, they were heading to Pride in London when Mrs. Green’s phone went “crazy”.
Her tweet has been retweeted more than 4,000 times, including by one of Korben’s idols – Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage, who said he was a “star”.
“To me she is such an icon, a wonderful celebrity and I really admire her,” he said.
“When I showed Korben the retweet he was absolutely blown away – he was so made up,” said Mrs Green.
“We also had retweets from H from Steps, and Dr Ranj, it was amazing.”
“Then at Pride, someone in the march came up to him said ‘are you the boy in the red dress? I think you’re amazing’.”
Mrs Green said Korben had always loved wearing dresses and since his early teens had performed as “sassy” drag queen Miss Frou Frou.
“I really hope it will help others be more accepting, let proud parents feel they are not alone, and that they can celebrate their children, and for young people to know there is a network there if they need it.”
“You need to accept your children for who they are.”