text: A lesbian honors student who was told by her school principal that she was not allowed to wear a tuxedo to her senior prom has now been informed that she may wear the attire, it has emerged. Claudetteia Love, 17, said last week that she and her friends would not go to Carroll High School's prom in Monroe, Louisiana, because Principal Patrick Taylor had told her she had to wear a dress. Her comments sparked an outpouring of support from across the country - from her classmates, who signed a petition to persuade the school to change its mind, to gay rights groups and strangers. But now, Principal Taylor and Monroe City School Board President Rodney McFarland - who had backed Claudetteia - have reportedly told the student that she can wear a tux to the prom after all. Result! Claudetteia Love (pictured), 17, was told by her school principal that she was not allowed to wear a tuxedo to her senior prom. However, she has now been informed that she may wear the attire after all . On Tuesday, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said in a news release that the pair had contacted the teenager to inform her of their decision relating to the event on April 24. In the release, Claudetteia, who is openly gay, said she had been inspired by the countless supportive comments and offers she has received in the wake of her controversial tuxedo ban. The support included a local businessman's offer to create a prom for her and her friends, and a letter sent to school superintendents in the state by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana. “The outpouring of support has been incredible and inspiring; it is a source of strength that I will keep with me as I move on the next phase of my education and life beyond high school,' said Claudetteia. She added she was 'thankful' for the school's latest decision. 'I am looking forward to celebrating the end of my senior year with my friends and classmates at the prom, like any other student,' she said. Last week, Claudetteia's mother, Geraldine Jackson, who is 'fully supportive' of her daughter's gay identity, said Principal Taylor had told her staff would not supervise the prom if girls wore tuxes. Principal: Claudetteia said last week that she and her friends would not go to Carroll High School's prom in Monroe, Louisiana, because Principal Patrick Taylor (pictured) had told her she had to wear a dress . Release: But now, Principal Taylor and school board president Rodney McFarland have told the student she can wear a tux to the prom, according to a news release (pictured) by the National Center for Lesbian Rights . 'That's his exact words. "Girls wear dresses and boys wear tuxes, and that's the way it is",' she told The News-Star, adding that staff members had not acted on the petition started by students. Meanwhile, Claudetteia told the newspaper: 'I told my mom, "They're using me". They put me in all these honors and advanced placement classes so I can take all of these tests and get good grades and better the school, but when it's time for me to celebrate the fact that I've accomplished what I need to accomplish and I'm about to graduate, they don't want to let me do it the way I want to.' She added: 'There are people in the world that won't accept you but they don't have to be so judgmental and make you feel like you're less of a person and that you shouldn't express yourself.' Ms Jackson and Claudetteia are both now 'very happy' after Caroll High School reversed its ban. Inspired: In the release, Claudetteia (left and right), who is openly gay, said she had been inspired by the countless supportive comments and offers she has received in the wake of her controversial tuxedo ban . Last week, Principal Taylor told the News-Star that the earlier decision was part of the school's dress code and not anything personal. However, Claudetteia and her family said they did not believe it. McFarland told the paper that Principal Taylor's stance was not backed up by board policy. 'Banning her from her prom just because of what she wants to wear - that's discrimination,' he said. 'As far as I know there is no Monroe City School Board policy saying what someone has to wear to attend the prom. You can't just go making up policies.' McFarland said he planned to ask Superintendent Brent Vidrine to talk to Principal Taylor. School: Claudetteia is a top-performing student at Carroll High School (pictured) She will represent the school at an annual scholars' banquet and has a full scholarship to Jackson State University once she graduates . In Tuesday's release, NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell said: 'We are pleased to hear Principal Taylor and the Monroe City School Board corrected this wrong before any serious harm was done. 'Forbidding girls from wearing a tuxedo to the prom would have served no purpose other than to reinforce the worst sorts of harmful stereotypes and censor a core part of Claudetteia’s identity.' Last year, Claudetteia was one of a group of students presented in a Monroe City School Board meeting as part of the school's high achieving medical magnet program. She will represent the school at the annual Scholars' Banquet, an event for the top students in Ouachita Parish, and has a full scholarship to Jackson State University. Neither Principal Taylor nor McFarland immediately returned calls for comment from AP.
target: Claudetteia Love, 17, had planned to go to her prom with group of friends .
  But Principal Patrick Taylor 'told her she was not allowed to wear tuxedo'
  Said the decision was part of the Monroe, Louisiana school's dress code .
  Decision sparked an outpouring of support for student across the nation .
  Now, school has reversed its decision - Claudetteia is able to wear tuxedo .
  Openly gay teen said she was 'thankful' and 'looking forward' to the prom .
  She is a top student and has a full scholarship to Jackson State University .