'Gender-neutral' student in dress told to change clothes

An eighth-grade boy identifying as "gender-neutral" withdrew from Fairview Middle School on Tuesday after administrators said wearing a dress was a violation of school policy and called the parents for a change of clothes.

Superintendent Jackie Pons, who said he intends to talk to the family soon, is "concerned by the situation," and said the school environment needs to be addressed, not the student's attire. A group of students galvanized by the incident are piecing together a campaign to highlight the importance of acceptance and gender equality.

Wearing a dress, explained Principal Scott Hansen, had the potential to cause a disturbance in class because some students already were gawking, pointing and making other inappropriate gestures when the student first arrived at school.

"This was about protecting them from the other kids and their ways of not understanding," Hansen said. "Unfortunately, in middle school there is not as much freedom for expression."

In Leon County, students may wear clothes as a form of self-expression, permitting their choices do not "materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program," according to the dress code set in School Board bylaws.

The same set of policies, however, state that school staff is expected to provide a supportive learning environment regardless of gender — "real or perceived."

The Pons administration released a statement saying the issue would result in an "update to policies and procedures" and affirmed that officials were "sensitive to ever-evolving issues."

In a meeting two weeks ago, School Board members and administrators kicked off National Bullying Prevention Month by touting the importance of tolerance. Students in schools across the county, Fairview included, had donned blue shirts on Oct. 5 to support the initiative.

Hansen said he views the incident as a teachable moment and plans to discuss gender issues with students and faculty this week. Having to ask the student to change, he added, illustrates why there needs to be more direct education in school about "societal issues like this."

Fellow students, also enrolled in the school's International Baccalaureate preparatory program, are coordinating an awareness movement they are calling "The Rally."

A petition to support LGBT rights is circulating the halls, already collecting more than 100 signatures in a day. A handful of students penned letters to the American Civil Liberties Union demanding action. "Spirit" days will be themed: supporters will wear rainbow colors one day; on another, T-shirts will be worn bearing the student's name and the next, dresses. Students also will participate in a day of silence.

"This is such a big issue that so many refuse to acknowledge," said eighth-grader Kimi Corkery, one of the leading organizers. "People need to realize that acceptance is important."

Contact Amanda Claire Curcio at acurcio@tallahassee.com or follow on Twitter @MandaCurcio.