Some students at a B.C. central Interior high school are planning to dress up as the opposite sex on Friday to protest a decision by administrators to cancel some anti-homophobia events.

Students at Columneetza Secondary in Williams Lake were supposed to have an assembly on Tuesday to see an anti-homophobia presentation organized by the local Gay Straight Alliance.

But the event was cancelled, along with a so-called Gender Bender day when students would dress up as the opposite sex, according to student organizer Lexi Saffel.

'We're trying to promote acceptance of everybody.' — Lexi Saffel, student organizer

The students were warned they would face consequences if they showed up at school dressed in the opposite gender's clothing, said Saffel.

"We were actually told that any student that comes to school dressed in the opposite gender's clothing will be sent home and suspended and it could be on our permanent record," said Saffel.

"I was really angry, honestly, because we're trying to promote acceptance of everybody, and make a safe school environment for everybody," said Saffel.

Diane Wright, the superintendent of the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District, confirmed the school board cancelled some of the events after parents complained last week, but said it was for educational reasons.

The assembly was cancelled because year-end exams are three weeks away and parents were worried the school time would have been better spent studying, Wright said.

But Saffel said staff members were on board with it, "and it was only when parents started complaining that apparently it was an issue."

"Our sponsor teacher came and told us there was actually an emergency [Gay Straight Alliance] meeting called because we were told that our activities were on the line," she said.

"They felt that it was promoting the gay lifestyle, rather than promoting anti-homophobia," said Saffel.

Still, some students plan to come to school dressed as the opposite sex this Friday.

Wright said no one will be suspended.