A FURIOUS mum has blasted "cruel" parents who taunted her 11-year-old daughter for wearing a suit to prom.
Mischa Parker donned a smart black dinner jacket with matching trousers and bow tie when she met pals for their big leaving do on Friday.
2
Mischa Parker, 11, wore a smart black suit for her primary school prom Credit: SWNS 2
Mum Tamara Auty has criticised parents for 'sniggering' at her daughter's outfit Credit: SWNS
But her prom was ruined when she overheard some of the chaperoning parents laughing and calling her "suit girl".
The youngster was so mortified she called mum Tamara Auty, 33, and asked her to pick her up early from Fountain Primary School in Leeds.
Tamara, from Morley, said: "I think it was an attack on her individuality.
"I work in mental health myself and I just think it was really disgusting.
"When I was 11 I had no idea who I was, but Mischa has always known who she is and what she likes."
Mum-of-two Tamara added: "I'd taken her shopping the day before and she was really excited trying it on.
"She was a bit nervous hoping nobody laughed at her.
"I just think that children should be allowed to express themselves. Why should my daughter be made to feel bad about the way she likes to dress?
"Why try and knock a child down for that?"
'PERSONAL ATTACK'
A few days before the big night, Tamara took Mischa and her brother Thomas, nine, to H&M to pick out an outfit.
Support worker Tamara said: "She did end up going into the boys' section and got a dickie bow as they suited her a bit more.
"She'd known if she was going to any function she'd be wearing a suit.
"She looked absolutely amazing and stylish."
Her family thought she looked great and the little girl couldn't wait to celebrate finishing primary school with her friends.
She even straightened her hair, put some mascara and painted her nails black - which was a "big deal" for Mischa as "she's not a girly girl".
Her mates showered her with praise when they met before the party, telling her she looked "amazing" and "gorgeous".
I think she's brave for being who she is. Be who you are and celebrate who you are, don't be torn down for standing out.
Mum Tamara Auty
At ease, Mischa told her mum she could go. But a few hours later she received an upsetting text reading: "Can you pick me up now?"
Tamara said: "Mischa normally not very cuddly, doesn't really show emotion, doesn't really get upset easily. She's just quite a strong character.
"When I got to prom I cuddled her and she just burst into tears and said 'I need to get out of here'."
When they got home, Tamara said her distraught daughter told her that some of the adults who had stayed called her "suit girl" and "sniggered".
Tamara added: "Every time she was walking past these parents she could hear them commenting and laughing.
"She said 'do you think I should change my fashion?' as she normally wears more boys gendered clothing like hoodies and baggy trousers, but I said 'no, you be who you are'."
Tamara wants to raise awareness of what happened to her child to prevent other children being hurt in the future.
Most read in News
Comment
TREVOR KAVANAGH Jabs stroll-out and extreme lockdown? Welcome to the land down blunder
holiday chaos Brits face being BANNED from French bars & attractions by jab passport scheme
FIGHTING BACK Covid hospital admissions plunge 82% from winter peak after 86m vaccine doses
rape horror Brit woman, 50, raped as she lay unconscious on street in Majorca
FIN-CREDIBLE Moment family spot 'massive SHARK’ just yards from Norfolk beach
'HEARTBROKEN' Manchester attack survivor, 20, found dead in bedroom 4 years after bombing
She said: "I work with people in crisis, I see people who are affected by bullying and I just think it's disgusting, especially with adults who know better.
"You expect it to be more the kids. If she had gone to prom in a dress she would've been unconformable, why should she not be happy?
"I think she's brave for being who she is. Be who you are and celebrate who you are, don't be torn down for standing out."