Friday, March 13, 2009

Female Student Sues to Wear Tux to Prom

17-year-old rejects dresses, says they represent sexual identity — might be allowed to wear pantsuit

UPDATE 3/16/09: School gives in to ACLU, changes policy.

-- From "Lesbian sues to wear tux to prom" Associated Press 3/12/09

A Lebanon [Indiana] High School senior is suing the school after her principal told her she could not wear a tuxedo to the school’s prom.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis says that the principal told the girl that, while the school’s dress code does not contain gender-based requirements, there is a special dress code for prom that requires female students to wear a formal dress.

The lawsuit filed on the girl’s behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana alleges that the prom attire policy intentionally discriminates against students based on gender, and that because the school receives federal funds, the policy also violates federal law. It says the policy violates her free speech rights and the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.