The complaint, filed Wednesday with the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR), says the school district enforced “discriminatory sex-specific dress code policies” that “disproportionately harms girls, particularly transgender and gender nonconforming girls.”
The 16-year-old transgender girl, identified in the complaint as “A.H.,” wears traditionally feminine clothing which is “critically important to A.H.’s sense of self, gender expression, and identity as a girl,” according to the complaint.
In March, A.H. wore a black dress to a regional band concert evaluation that followed the style and length requirements of the district’s dress code for girls. But, according to the complaint, she was stopped by the school’s principal who told her, “Boys can’t wear skirts or dresses” and later said, “You can’t represent our school dressed like that.”
When presented with an ultimatum to have her mother bring “boys’ clothes” or not be allowed to participate, A.H. chose to change into a button-down shirt and dress pants and continue with the concert.
“A.H. felt utterly humiliated to be seen in clothing that was inconsistent with her gender identity,” said the complaint.
