Home »
News &
Events » News Archive » 2002 Press Releases
Two Bloomingdale High School Seniors Protest Ban on Wearing Slacks
During Graduation Ceremony
Civil Rights Groups Applaud School's Prompt Decision to Amend Discriminatory Dress Code Policy
May 23, 2002
MIAMI ? In response to legal demands made by local and national civil rights groups on behalf of two graduating seniors at Bloomingdale High School, the school principal has rightfully agreed to allow girls to wear slacks underneath their gowns at graduation.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Equality Florida, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida applaud the decision by B.J. Stelter, principal at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, Florida, to amend its discriminatory graduation dress code policy, which stated that senior girls were only allowed to wear dresses or skirts with hemlines above their graduation gowns during the ceremony.
"Forcing girls to wear a skirt or dress reinforces stereotypical gender norms that are harmful to all students," said Kate Kendell, NCLR Executive Director. "We applaud Bloomingdale High School for promptly responding based on reason and common sense."
ACLU of Florida cooperating attorney Karen M. Doering sent a demand letter on May 22 on behalf of graduating seniors Alicia Traurig and Amber Smith, both of whom wanted to wear dress slacks to graduation. In the May 22 letter, Doering argued that the policy unfairly discriminates against female students in violation of the "students' constitutional right to privacy, liberty, and First Amendment protections."
She demanded that the school amend its policy to accommodate the requests of Traurig and Smith, along with dozens of other female students who also objected to the outdated and biased policy. Within hours after receiving the letter, the school agreed to change its policy to permit girls to wear slacks to graduation.
Although the situation at Bloomingdale High School has been resolved, several other high schools in the district appear to have identical policies requiring female students to wear dresses or skirts as a condition of participating in commencement ceremonies. According to Mark Hart, the District's Public Affairs Director, there is no district wide policy. Each principal is permitted to set the dress code policy for his or her school.
"Every year, when graduation rolls around, school districts across the country become obsessed with dictating what students can wear underneath their gowns," said ACLU of Florida Legal Director Randall Marshall. "And in almost every circumstance, the students have prevailed."
Marshall is encouraging students who attend schools with similar bans to contact the ACLU of Florida office in Miami.
"We want to see this discriminatory policy eliminated in all District schools," added Doering, who also serves as a staff attorney for NCLR and a consultant to Equality Florida. "Many female students would like to wear dress slacks to graduation. These young women are not asking to wear blue jeans or other casual clothing. They simply want to wear formal, professional clothing that does not require them to expose their legs to all onlookers. "
MEDIA CONTACT:
Miami: Alessandra Soler Meetze (305) 576-2337 ext. 16
Tampa: Karen Doering (813) 873-2357
