Transgender Teen Among Finalists for Prom Queen at Indiana School

“I just want to show people that no matter who you are, no matter what kind of label society wants to try to put on you that you can truly do whatever it is you want to do,” she said.

Dakota Yorke has dreamed about being prom queen since she was little, and now she’s finally getting that chance. 

The transgender teen from northwest Indiana is in the running for prom queen at Portage High School and with just days before the big dance, the senior student took her excitement to social media.

“I can’t even say it because I get like teared up even talking about it,” Yorke said in a YouTube video that has since received more than 2,000 views. 

Yorke asked her school if she could run for the coveted title, and was given a green light by school officials, according to the Post-Tribune. 

Yorke told the publication she attended the dance last year sporting a tuxedo, but “felt embarressed” by the decision. Now, she’s taking her senior year to show off who she really is. 

“I just want to show people that no matter who you are, no matter what kind of label society wants to try to put on you that you can truly do whatever it is you want to do,” she said. “I just want to show people that no matter who you are, no matter what kind of label society wants to try to put on you that you can truly do whatever it is you want to do.”

Yorke fully transitioned last summer, identifying as female, the Post-Tribune reports. She has since been attending cosmetology classes and routinely posts videos on her YouTube channel. 

“Everyone needs to break out of their shell, everbody just needs to be confident, love themselves, love the body they’re in, love their thoughts, love their soul, love their heart, love people,” she said, adding that she doesn’t want “people to be scared of being judged.” 

Yorke was recently named one of four finalists for the prom queen title based on student votes. The school's dance is scheduled to take place May 7, when the winner will be announced. 

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