Way to discriminate against transgendered youth............I agree they need to address the bullying.

constitutionally it will get killed anyway.

This is constitutionally the same as telling a white girl she can't wear something a black girl could.

No more pants for girls? I am sure this is what they had in mind. :)

Because they obviously will only harass and beat him if he's in a dress.

Yep, nothing like violating constitutional rights instead of getting to the root of the problem.

Wow, way to let the bullies win instead of addressing the issue of abusing others.

So are they banning girls wearing pants too?

And we wonder why our education system is second rate. We have idiots in charge.

School is not a forum for self expression, or social engagement experience. School is no different than work. You are there to fulfill an expectation. At work, you are comensated monetarily, at school, through grades, according to what you earn.

This is a fine solution. The issue is not that they are not allowed to express yourself (this right has consistently been found to be curtailed within schools) but rather the equallity of the rule (due process considerations).

Polo shirt and khakis would be a good start (nationwide as far as I'm concerned). But we still need to deal with the bullying.

The proposal explicitly bans “clothing worn by a student that is not in keeping with a student’s gender and causes a disruption and/or distracts others from the educational process or poses a health or safety concern.”

Going to be a difficult year for men wearing kilts or women wearing pants. If the district is so concerned with cross dressing why not make uniforms a must for public schools.

absolutely, address the bullying. That should NEVER be tolerated at any time.

The cross dressing thing.... I dont know... maybe do it outside of school?

The solution is not this misguided and unconstitutional policy, it is to implement school uniforms nationwide. It has been shown in numerous studies that school uniforms improve the performance of the school by shifting the focus to education. School uniforms will also prevent gang members displaying their affiliation, and break down the cliques in the schools. This will have a major impact on reducing violence in the schools. Rich and poor will not be distinguishable by their clothing as everyone will be dressed the same. Children expressing their individuality and attempting to stand out in school are a distraction from the main purpose of school which is to learn.

As some have mentioned above, cross-dressing is a matter of personal perception. If they want to uphold the standard, then no girls in pants! Of course, the argument can be made that the next step is to require administrators and teachers to quite impersonating someone who is intelligent when they are not. Thus, the administrators considering this policy must go.

As for the cross-dressers, they are learning a valuable life lesson. You can't always get what you want and there are certain societal standards that are expected and to go against the grain will have consequences of stirring up unpleasant consequences because not everyone thinks like you do. That's not to say that the school should put up with bullying, but I suspect that all the cross-dressers have a pretty good idea what they are getting into when they cross-dress at school. Let's just say that they are learning that you can't wear a T-shirt and cut-offs (with nose ring and tattoos) into an interview at a bank for a loan officer position and expect to get hired. Better to learn that early on in life.

Back when I went to school in the 80's, there were kids with mohawks, boys with long hair, and all kinds of odd dress. The school didn't ban it. The "nonconformist" kids attracted attention for a day or so, and then it was business as usual. Kids who pierced their own ears in class were, however, sent to the nurses office. Kids will explore different styles as they try to figure out who they are. It's the bullying that's harmful, not the mode of dress.

Answer - School Uniforms. Dockers and Polo Shirts for everyone, male or female. Period, end of point. You want to express yourself, do it on your own time. School is not a forum for self expression, or social engagement experience. School is no different than work. You are there to fulfill an expectation. At work, you are comensated monetarily, at school, through grades, according to what you earn.

Wrong. School is completely about self expression and socialization. Those two factors of human development are amongst the most important. We wouldn't teach the arts in school if it didn't have an important impact on other scholarly work.

I really have to ask...who the hell can possibly be under the impression that school isn't about self expression and socialization???? Please tell me you didn't actually go to school!

I agree that the bullies are the primary issue, but the cross dressing issue can also be disruptive, just as risque'/slutty and other types of provacative forms of clothing.

So, dressing in clothing that is not normally considered itself provocative is suddenly provocative when worn by someone who happens to have an innie, rather than an outtie?

If these kids were new to the school, had long hair, wore dresses, and seemed every bit a girl as the rest of the girls, would it then provoke bullying? After all, the bullies wouldn't know until some supposed adult such as yourself spilled the beans after reading their file.

When you are at school, you are enjoying a privelege of attending an institution of learning paid for by taxpayers to educate the youth of the community. As such, it is incumbent upon the student to do their part to contribute to a safe, harmonious learning environment, even if that means sacrificing a portion of themselves.

When you're driving on public roadways do you drive in a standard issue vehicle with no personal flair, whatsoever?

Mature people are able to temper their own wants and impulses in order to better fit in to the social order. Selfish, childish people attempt to force others to accept their egocentric views. That applies to both the bullies and the cross dressers.

Bigoted, shortsighted people believe that something which they are unaccustomed to or are uncomfortable with should be pushed to the fringes of society in order to satisfy their need to feel comfortable at all times. I've got news...this is a free society, and with it's many benefits comes the responsibility to understand that we should tolerate differences, short of tolerating actual harm being done to ourselves. What you speak of is not harm inflicted on others, it is minor inconvenience.

"Pants" are sold in girls' clothing departments..."dresses" are not sold in boys' clothing departments !!!

Less than a century ago, women who wore jeans were seen as unsavory elements of society. Women who wore jeans were not seen as women or men, but rather an unnatural asexual and not-Christ-like being who did not deserve the respect of others.

UNIFORMS. If you want to express yourself and your individuality, do it on your own time. I agree with Major Mike. Mature people temper their desire to self express and their individuality with the need for social and collective harmony. Selfish, childish people...such as the cross dressers AND the bullies need to be put in their place to maintain the school in a distraction free atmosphere.

Bright, one piece zip up coveralls, in school colors. School name in big block letters on back. Kind of like what they issue to prisoners in the Dept. of Corrections. One size fits no one.

Normally, when the ACLU gets involved, it usually means the side they support are so far in the wrong, there is no recovery. This, however, is one of a very rare exceptions. Constitutionally, boys can indeed wear dresses, blouses, skirts, heels, etc. Girls are allowed to wear loose pants, shirts and whatever else separates men's clothing from women's. Fact of the matter is cross-dressing is technically a freedom of expression and except for being rather odd, considering tradition, it is not in any way disruptive, anymore than wearing heavy amounts of makeup or putting hair in "Leia buns" is.

Btw liberals, what we are discussing here is getting government out of our lives, not getting more involved. Think about that when you consider some of the other issues we are currently facing.

Uniforms might seem like a good idea... but unless you have everyone wearing the same pants, shirts & sweaters, like in communist china; there will still be students who try to get around this with their hair styles and make up. I think a better solution is to teach students to "live and let live" and come down HARD on bullies!

The ban on cross dressing and androgynous gender expression borders on a first amendment violation and likely gender expression that is covered under Title IX.

This could get very expensive for the school district and the State of Va. I'm a 20 year member of the ACLU and I'm almost certain that they will be involved,as will the Human Rights Campaign that protects rights of gays bi lesbians and transgender.

I wondered how long it would take before someone bashed liberals, unions, or the Department of Education in this thread. The answer: not long.

Way to politicize an article that is not in any way political.

Major Mike -- You are right on the money. Uniforms. Almost always ends up being cheaper for families in the long run. Eliminates competition to have the latest, most expensive piece of fashion. No skin shown. No underwear shown. Why more public schools don't do this, I really don't know.

I too went to school in the 80's and EVERY boy into Heavy Metal and Glam Rock dressed feminine. You old fools need to calm down! There are always the "Get off of my lawn." old cranks that bitch and moan about everything new. See: Saturday Night Live skit a few years ago, "Back in my day we didn't have air, that's right, we breathed dirt and we were happy to get it and we liked it!" Cry me a river you old stuffy fools then try and remember back when you were 15 and they were telling you what not to wear.

Yep, uniforms work great... thanks to Catholic schoolgirl uniforms, we now have one of the best and most requested stripper outfits known to man.

Keep up the good work.

Thats what I said Peter!!! What if it is part of their heritage and its a kilt thats opening a can of worms they should not even begin to think about opening. Also it may be an institution to learn, but shouldnt self-control and maturity begin with the parents and their parenting skills. There are kids who can concentrate and actually do their work. The problem with most kids today is that fact they want their grades handed to them. I voluntarily went through a fifth year of high school after being screwed over by my old private school. I went back to freshman and sophomore classes in my junior year. The most pathetic thing I have noticed is how most parents baby their children now a days. Yes, school is a place to learn but sometimes people learn who they want to be or what they want to do and if its well within means and not life threatening physically to others it should be fine. What most parents do not realize now a days high school is hell and is pathetic depending on the community you are in. So think about that. Clothes which ever style may be in isnt the end all be all. Its the bullying and backstabbing. Parents not dealing with things they should be dealing with.

If school isn't a place for self-expression, then they should start enforcing uniforms and stop offering art class. Adolescence is a time for learning about onesself and growing into one's personality. Instead of enforcing conformity, they should teach tolerance and punish the bullies rather than the victims. You wouldn't tell a nerdy kid who was being bullied to "dress cooler," would you?

The proposal explicitly bans “clothing worn by a student that is not in keeping with a student’s gender and causes a disruption and/or distracts others from the educational process or poses a health or safety concern.”

Pick your desired gender and dress accordingly (always).

Oh, and avoid fashion statements with polyester knits, anything from the GAP and large platform shoes, let's try to keep it classy!

So who gets assigned "check gender" duty? Gives a whole new meaning to "hall monitor".

Unenforceable, unconstitutional, unreasonable, and misses the whole point of what we try to teach kids in school. I would like to hear more about the specific behaviors that prompted this notion.

Homophobes should get special ED for being mentally challenged and if they are staff, a pink slip is in order. Bullies should also be put on the little bus, that would take the wind out of their sails. Repeat bullies should be expelled. It's time that came to the workplace. There should be zero tolerance of any type of abuse or harassment. The word 'sexual' never belonged in the description to begin with. Workers' Comp doesn't pay if you have been destroyed mentally by a job

yeah, imagine getting pulled asside and asked for your "gender card"

Bullies should be made to cross-dress... would even-out the universe.

Most of the comments above are delusional. Students come to learn and dressing like the opposite gender is a distraction. Schools need a certain level of discipline and male students wearing skirts and stuff is simply inappropriate.

You can say we have to provide Public School for the masses and have unlimited constitutional rights for its students - just doesn't work!

I didn't bother reading the entire article, but it didn't take much to see where they're headed. First they abandon the cross & now cross dressing, what's next?

UNIFORMS, if you're listening VA school district.

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to implement uniforms. Problem solved. The kids can experiment with getting beat up for their preferences later in life, meanwhile, they can focus on what's important in school. All American schools should insist on uniforms just for the sake of helping kids have less distractions.

Anyone who might suggest uniforms stifle creativity simply aren't creative. If the only way you can express your feelings is by what clothing you pick out then you are pretty limited in your creative ability and would really benefit from the uniform anyway.

Ignoring problems such as bullying is much easier than addressing them. Bullying people into a 'normal' appearance is bullying.

The comments about women wearing pants and men wearing skirts, such as Scottish kilts, and Roman robes (graduation attire! Yikes!) are all valid in my opinion.

Bureaucratic response to 'problems' such as these often cause them to blame shift. We all tend to look the other way too as the bureaucrats tell us the problem isn't the bully it's the kid who doesn't look like everyone else. Sad state of affairs. Hope the district grows some big ones and deals with the problem of INTOLERANCE.

You know what all this liberal stuff is destroying our society, kids go to school for a education not a gender statement or a beauty contest! put your heads on straight, what is ok for one person may be extreamly offensive and even sickening to another, what about their feelings and standards where are you people coming from? by bringing cross dressing into the school is begging for trouble, the schools can eliminate allot of its problems by going to a uniform dress code yes make them at least look normal! and eliminate the problems you pro people are stocking a fire dividing the students and creating hate by shoving your liberal views down peoples throats, I find this activism to be nonproductive, and turning our schools into a zoo will not change the fact that some people will never find the people living in the outer limits as normal, I know there are people out their that would dress their little boy up as a little girl and send them off to school that in some peoples mind is just plain irresponsible and quite frankly stupid! you are subjecting your child to unnecessary harassment! why would you do that to your child! and what the heck does the ACLU have to do with this those freaks need to be put on a leash, you want to solve a dozen problems with one swift move go back to uniform dress codes and be done with it every one is on equal ground, and that will work. and that will take a ton of pressure off the shoulders of our most precious children your not solving problems you are creating them. this society is sick enough stop making it worse.

When I went through school in the 50's and 60'sf things were really different. In grade school we could not wear blue jeans, only slacks. Any shirts must button up and if it had a crocodile on the pocket that was pushing the limits. In high school girls were being allowed to wear culottes 'a divided skirt'. Everyone had to wear proper, clean and proper fitting shoes and socks. Nobody was allowed to wear a T-Shirt unless it had a pocket and no emblems. A school sweatshirt was allowed. Your hair could not touch your collar for the boys and girls skirts had to go 4 inches below the knees.

The more comments I read the more confirmed I feel about my belief that uniforms are the answer.

1. They cut down on distractions.

2. They enable kids to place less focus on trying to keep up with expensive trends or unusual fads and more focus on learning (again, see 1).

3. They put children in their place.

Item three is really important and has gradually slipped out of American culture. We value individuality, expression and identity and rightly so, but this shouldn't be at the cost of an education. Children have become so esteemed, or should I say more of a target market, that those targeting them have increasingly sold the fantasy that they are prepared to make adult decisions. And the absurd lawsuits against schools have undermined their authority so much that they are afraid to make sensible decisions or simply act in good faith for the benefit of the student body. The minority is bending the will of the majority- and i'm not speaking about skin color. I'm talking about children who believe they should have every right an adult has and parents too weak-willed to stand up to their own children's desires.

There is a place in this world for everyone. Tolerence of peaceful people is the only sensible policy. Individualism is great. Bullies need a good whacking. But kids need to be kids and need to respect the very people trying to help them, especially schools and school administrations. Uniforms make more sense in this crazy country now than ever. I hope the school decides to take that path but who knows what their lawyers will advise or what they can afford after they pay their lawyers.

By the way, the ACLU are liberal bullies. I hope someone their own size cuts them down to size.

Americans need to realize some things are just plain wrong and grow the balls to say so.

Social interaction is still possible with the need for personalized clothing.

High school is for getting an education so that you can be successful later in life. It is for learning how to be disiplined, hard working, and respectful. (all of which seem to be lacking in high school students now days)

Schools will also teach you how to get a job, right a resume and get through a successful interview (which means wearing a PANTS SUIT for a man).

If you decide you want to be a cross dresser, you have the rest of your life to do it. Concentrate more on learning right now and less on making a statement and shock value of your clothing.

You're right, old fat guy: Bigotry IS wrong! And deciding who can wear what based on their biology is wrong too.

I approve of uniforms. I went to both types of schools, those that had uniforms, those that did not.

Hands down, there was better discipline and better classroom atmosphere in the school with uniforms. I might add, the school with uniforms ALSO had an honor code and I think that's part of the success. Bullying was severely dealt with, much more so than the school without uniforms. The students also took more pride in the school.

As to the "creativity" argument ... imagine when the school with uniforms OUTPERFORMED the other (they were in the same town) in both music AND art (not to mention languages). The students certainly had no problem expressing themselves, they just did it in their creative endeavors, not in their clothes ... at least not at school.

Moving took me away from the school I loved, but I do believe that the uniform and honor policies certainly contributed to that school's success.

Schools will also teach you how to get a job, right a resume and get through a successful interview (which means wearing a PANTS SUIT for a man).

I guess that would depend on what job the guy was interviewing for.

Teaching folks right from wrong is not bigotry.

Teaching boys to dress like boys is preparing them to make a living, just like teaching boys to pull their pants up, comb their hair and be polite

No rules today grows tomorrows losers

...and teaching girls that they should be quiet in public so that they can more easily find a husband, right? ...and that they should wear skirts? ...and not vote?

Blame the victim! What a way to avoid responsibility for providing a safe environment.

Catholic schools have it right: uniforms.

Express yourself on your own time.

School is for learning, not for "expressing yourself".

Tina,

Only wish I could vote twice!

Yeah, all that's going to happen at Catholic school is that you will be sexually or otherwise abused by the clergy and/or nuns!

Wants, that's another issue.

They will be. This is what you get when you elect bigotted idiots to the governorship of your state.

Bullying is not a good thing and shouldn't happen but... if you don't want to be bullied then don't be acting bizarre to get attention.

"bizarre" is in the eyes of the beholder. Perhaps these kids would find your attire bizarre.

Frankly, I find the way most people appear in public to be bizarre, but I would never bully them for it.

Admittedly, I do check People of Wal-Mart from time to time for a chuckle. My bad.

If your a transgendered kid, you should get to come to class based on the gender you feel that you are.

I agree, Eric. I suspect that even with this ban, transgendered children will still wear the clothing of the sex they feel they are. Such as girls can wear girl's slacks and blouses. Boys can wear Rustler's and sweat shirts, etc. they will just have to be a little less dramatic. I don't think they can regulate make up or fingernail polish. When my 37 year old daughter was in high school, in a small upstate NY school, there were several of the boys wearing pink fingernail polish. And they didn't do anything at that time.

I'd be a little concerned that my daughter was 37 years old and still in high school.

LOL, totally read it that way the first time as well.

LOL, totally read it that way the first time as well.

Sam: I guess you had to read it that way the first time, twice..... :D

ERIC-913730 - this is not about transgender .. this is about cross dressing .. they are NOT the same thing .. get educated

What about people like my friend, who's mom bought him a new pair of jeans that he wore to school, and everyone was giggling at him, and after school he found "Funny Girl" was embroidered on the back pocket... his mom had bought him girls jeans.

If any of you think it's doing any favors letting children make all of their own decisions without the guidance of adults and rules than no wonder this nation is going down the tubes!

its school not a costume party, shut up sit down and learn. no lady boy dresses, wigs or make up.

1. For thousands of years, men wore the same thing as women, and would be classified as a dress in these modern times.
2. For thousands of years, wigs were worn by everyone...no matter the need for it.
3. For thousands of years, men wore makeup.

Welcome to the United States, where men have been wearing makeup, dresses, and wigs twice as long as they've been wearing t-shirts and jeans!

To be honest...these kids should be wondering why we're dressed the way we are!

High schools should be educating about facts not social theory. It is not the schools place to "educate" about tolerance. There is a reason our children are amongst the most uneducated in the world. We simply dont teach them anything. Teach them reading, writing, history, math, literature and stay out of social theory. If you want to learn about tolerance then teach the history of the Civil rights movement dont waste everyone's time by having a Dr. Feelgood head-shrink talk about boundaries and differences. And if there is bullying then deal with the Bully. If the "victim" is only being victimized because of his or her drawing attention to themselves in a manner that distracts from the schools ability to teach then deal with the "victim". I mean, this story seems like a bit more than some innocent transgendered kid in a dress being victimized. It seems like a complete breakdown at the school from the top administrators to the students focus not being on learning but on making social statements.

Dustin, Im sorry to say you are actually quite wrong.

1. For thousands of years, men wore the same thing as women, and would be classified as a dress in these modern times.

Not true at all. There have no cultures where men and women dressed the same. You confuse the toga of popular imagination and the stola which was a garment women wore. Women did not wear togas and men did not wear stolas. The same holds true in other cultures. men in Scotland wore Kilts, which are not dresses while women wore what today would be called a dress. Even in cultures where Robes were common the robes worn by men and women had very deliberate design differences to separate the genders.

1. For thousands of years, wigs were worn by everyone...no matter the need for it.

Again, not true. Etruscan women wore wigs but not men. Egyptian men and women alike wore wigs and for a brief period of time it was fashionable for men and women to wear powdered wigs but this were relatively small periods of time compared with human history and represent a very small portion of human society. The majority of men and women throughout history never wore wigs at all.

1. For thousands of years, men wore makeup.

This depends on the way you define makeup. Native Americans wore makeup for ritual purposes but never wore makeup daily. That is only a part of the movies. In the military you might wear "makeup" to hide your features but this is not the same as makeup a woman wears. And in those instances when men makeup outside of the theater it is always been considered a feminine thing to do.

I really dont care what your opinions are on gender but do be a dear and get your historical facts right.

Yes, so that the system of order is maintained; let us all drive white sedans, wear khaki trousers for boys and men with crisp white shirts and blouses for girls and women . Don't forget the pleated knee length skirts.

Also, absolutely no discussion of anything that may be considered inconsiderate or violates the code of conduct as set forth by the new Constitution that has been reviewed and approved by the same committee that understands better than we what is acceptable behavior,dress and is for the good of the people.

Of course,anything other than adult (voting age appropriately indoctrinated) individuals that do not conform to these standards for the common good of the people up to including sexual practices other than that intended for procreation and only in the customary missionary position and devoid of pleasure will be deemed undesirable and dismissed from the human community as perverse and not worthy of enjoying the blissful society as recognized by the board (self appointed).

As a post note : Individuals that object,have disagreeable ideas ,thoughts,or comments as recognized or in the opinion of the aforementioned Board/Committee will be burned at the stake just outside the community limits as to conserve the time consuming effort of judgement by God; therefor eliminating the need for trials,courts and other unnecessary inconveniences.

This notice has been brought to you by the self appointed community for common decency and bigotry. All thoughts and opinions are solely that of the committee and therefor shall not be challenged in words,thoughts or written form. any an all opposing statement's will subject such op-posers to be burned at the stake just outside community limits .

You're wrong, and you're seeking technicalities to say it:

Not true at all. There have no cultures where men and women dressed the same. You confuse the toga of popular imagination and the stola which was a garment women wore. Women did not wear togas and men did not wear stolas. The same holds true in other cultures. men in Scotland wore Kilts, which are not dresses while women wore what today would be called a dress. Even in cultures where Robes were common the robes worn by men and women had very deliberate design differences to separate the genders.

You're speaking roman times...which is funny given that homosexuality in Rome was par for the course. Early theatres could only employ men and as a result, had to play the part of women. In the greater reaches of society, cross-dressing was not uncommon, and not derided.

Kilts are just a much a skirt as a skirt is...they are idologically different, but when you cut the crap, it's still a pleated skirt.

During the renaissance, there were little decipherable differences between the garments of men and women...women just didn't wear a cod piece. Oh yeah, that's right...the renaissance was a time of open sexuality where (gasp) women dressed as men, and men as women...and nobody batted an eye.

Again, not true. Etruscan women wore wigs but not men. Egyptian men and women alike wore wigs and for a brief period of time it was fashionable for men and women to wear powdered wigs but this were relatively small periods of time compared with human history and represent a very small portion of human society. The majority of men and women throughout history never wore wigs at all.

I'm just going to pretend this precious little batch of ignorance never happened. I'll leave you with a few damning references: Colonial England, early America, the entire 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th century. Jurists in modern England do not wear wigs because they recently had a resounding effect on society. Wigs were a sign of nobility or status, and have been throughout history.

This depends on the way you define makeup. Native Americans wore makeup for ritual purposes but never wore makeup daily. That is only a part of the movies. In the military you might wear "makeup" to hide your features but this is not the same as makeup a woman wears. And in those instances when men makeup outside of the theater it is always been considered a feminine thing to do.

I present to you...the same references as before: Colonial England, early America, the entire 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th century.

I really dont care what your opinions are on gender but do be a dear and get your historical facts right.

Why don't you be a dear and not attempt to "correct" my comments when in fact, you're horribly wrong.

Go Dustin!

Thanks, Casey :)

Then you didn't coordinate your outfits very well.

Good point, Eric. I'm thinking about leaving this' circus' to join a family.

You invite People magazine to take pictures and put it in the "Who Wore It Best" section.

How about prison scrubs......

Eric, I have no problems with prison scrubs either. I think uniforms would equalize everyone plus you would know what school they went to.

I am not saying don't address the bullying problem. I think if you have a uniform dress code, that would be one more thing the kid wouldn't have to worry about and thus wouldn't get teased hopefully.

Banning open toed shoes? Just how in the HELL are open toed shoes "suggestive"? *sigh* Only in Virgina would they ban open toed shoe for being "suggestive" PUH-LEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with clinicallycynical, they need to fire back with a lawsuit.

I also agree with Eric, kids should come to school dressed as whatever gender they identify.

If the schools try and FORCE the kids to repress this, they could end up with mental health issues....studies show that many of the kids who are forced to repress this sort of thing end up comitting suicide.

LEAVE THEM ALONE! Adress the bullying! Trying to "ban" cross dressing is a COP OUT for lazy administrators who REFUSE to deal with the real issue: bullies. Instead of @!$%#ing copping out so PATHETICALLY, they need to LEAVE THE CROSSDRESSERS ALONE, and lay down the damn law with those @!$%# punk bullies.

Uniforms would be a good idea. It would also cut down on all the insulting someone who is not wearing the latest fads. However, uniforms have skirts. LOL. You can be in uniform and still show your inner gender and still be legal. So all children have to wear jeans and shirts? Teenagers can wear unusual sweaters, hair styles. There are a million ways someone can get around these clothing laws.

Willow thanks. Okay as an old person (42 - LOL) when I went to school, we had a dress code. We could not wear heels over a certain height, open toe shoes, flip flops, etc. I didn't wear a uniform when I went to school, but now all the schools i attended have them. Yes, it will cut down on alot of the stupidity. I don't have a problem with cross dressers. Yes, it is a cope out, but this is how the schools want to address it instead of addressing the real problem becasue 9 times out of 10 the bullies are the popular kids.

Even uniforms gender-specific. Can the young men wear skirts as part of their uniform and vice versa, according to your proposal?

Sorry, Willow. Missed your post.

Uniforms are the only type of dress code a public school and legally apply, and even then, only if they supply the uniforms.

@valhallaarwen - Just WHAT does being popular have to do with cracking down on bullying?

It doesn't MATTER if they're popular or not, that is NO excuse not to crack down. The way they've chosen to address this is wrong.

Eric,

A lot of the kids with the attitudes they have these days will end up wearing jail house orange!

Uniforms are a good start. Maybe they should begin there and see what happens. My son has been wearing uniforms since kindergarten and now he is a senior. I personally like it as a parent.

Uniforms/coveralls won't stop the bullying. Also, what do you do about hair/makeup.

As to the why bullies get away with it, because they are the stars of the athletic teams and the schools won't do anything to their stars unless someone gets seriously injured (or dead) and the bully is caught in the act. Also, if a victim does report and the bully gets nailed, his/her friends will take out revenge.

Uniforms would be a good start. Boys in boy clothing, girls in girls. If you're born a boy, then you get the boy uniform, born a girl, a girl uniform.

I quite simply don't understand why a school kid would wear clothing that he/she KNOWS is going to get them potentially ridiculed for. I'm NOT attempting to lighten any issues about bullying. Yes, it DEFINITELY NEEDS to be addressed. But wearing something that could open yourself up to that bullying is almost like trying to extinguish a fire with gasoline. We've all seen and read on the web where parents and individuals keep stating that kids do not possess the minds to make certain decisions, or perform certain tasks.....their brain still needs a lot more time and life experiences in order to become 'fully functional'. So if that is the case, why have them face such a powder keg at this stage of their young life?

Honestly...I'm not trying to belittle the kids that want to live an alternative lifestyle. Nor am I saying that these kids should be restricted. I do feel that bullying/harassing NEEDS to be addressed first and foremost. Everyone should be able to live the life they so choose in any matter they wish to do so without repercussions. But at such an early stage of life where one group will say, "Oh they should be allowed to do this", and another side says, "they're to young and don't have the knowledge or life experience needed in order to make such choices".........My thought would be that kids should finish schooling first.....and if that means that for the time being their alternative lifestyle needs to be put on hold, so be it. ALL children should be allowed to get an education EQUALLY.....so if cross dressing individuals are disruptive to that, then it's being disruptive to the other children who are trying to learn as well.

I quite simply don't understand why a school kid would wear clothing that he/she KNOWS is going to get them potentially ridiculed for.

Thanks for that sentiment...now please tell me why you think gay and lesbian men and women wake up every day and remain out and proud, though it means a lot of unfair consequences??

It's because we won't fight who we are...just like these kids, their self respect is more important than the respect of their peers...which is how it should be.

Yes, I am in complete agreement with uniforms. Going one step further, make it a national thing -- ALL Public Schools wear the same thing, male or female -- Light blue (or white) polo shirts and khaki slacks with black socks and black shoes would be a good combination and would look neat and clean -- would also eliminate "class" consciousness/differences.

Aaah, yes !

Lets put all the kids in public schools in uniforms. This would definitely promote harmony and compliance .

Wait, maybe we should all wear uniforms ,then we would all be harmonious and compliant.

Perhaps we could consult with China or the North Koreans, they seem to have a system that promotes compliance and harmony.

We could also use little emblems to designate who the persons that are different or have different ideas...

maybe a star or a triangle;just a small one not very opposing.

Oh, another idea,maybe we can designate special areas where these different folks can live.

We can provide jobs that they would excel in such as ;the arts or hospitality,fashion design(oh, sorry,were all wearing the same uniforms ,that's out), perhaps salt mines or servicing broken nuclear reactors.......

Uniforms would be a good start. Boys in boy clothing, girls in girls. If you're born a boy, then you get the boy uniform, born a girl, a girl uniform.

What's a "boy uniform"? What's a "girl uniform"? Does a girl's uniform consist of a dress? What about really, really cold winter days? Are you going to make girls wear dresses while boys get to wear warmer trousers? That seems very unfair. Of course, if you let girls wear trousers, then you have to be fair and let boys wear dresses, if they want.

Isis, most of the kids in my school who were the bullies were the popular/athletic kids who nobody (read authority) would not see them doing the bullying to the other kid because no one would think that the popular/athlete did it or would not believe that they would do something like this.

Isis, didn't mean to write a double negative in the previous email. Isis, most of the kids in my school who were the bullies were the popular/athletic kids who nobody (read authority) would see them doing the bullying to the other kid because no one would think that the popular/athlete did it or would not believe that they would do something like this.

Also let me say something about fashion. One thing I hate is those damn skinny jeans which boys were are so ugly. Those do not mean gay, thos are from the 70's.

Valhallaarwen, well if that's the case, then school administrators need to WAKE UP and realize that popular kids ARE the bullies, and stop sweeping thei despicable behavior under the rug. Bullies are bullies, no matter WHAT clique you're in....saying that "Oh, the popular kids would never bully" is ignorant and reckless.

They are punishing the transgenderd kids, rather than punishing the actual bullies. They've got it backward, and they need to pull their head out of their ass, and STOP restricting the transgendered kids. They need to start punishing the bullies.

The transgendered kids did NOTHING wrong. The bullies ARE doing wrong. The sooner the administrators wake up and see this and do something about it, the better.

I think that is why this ban was made. They must have a few teens that are transgendered and being somewhat dramatic as all teens are, they are probably very flashy dressed. You can put a student in a uniform with jeans or slacks. Then some people will wear Mary Jane Shoes, or heels, or nylons, or a big hairstyle. You can't hold a teenager down.

As a nurse, i once took care of a man that was actually a transgendered man, lived for the past 40 years as a man. He had a stroke and was in rehab (His roommate was physically a man, while my patient was listed as a hermaphrodite). He told me that at his age, 76, if he had the money, he would get the surgeries to become physically a man. He lived alone all his life because he thought no one would ever want him. All he had was his cats. And over the year I took care of him, I grew to love this man, like a Father. He was a good man. this is why we must be a little bit sensitive and tender hearted towards transgendered youths. I hope they never go through life as this man did.

Send them to the Transgender School of performing Arts.

AMEN!

I'm sorry, but your church isn't the only one in existece, frespech and justmarie.

I attend the Metropolitain Community Church services...my pastor is gay, and by the grace of God...he's still my pastor.

You haven't got the market cornered on organized religion.

And if they get bullied - well, then so be it. Gotta learn sooner or later about life. When you are different, you are going to be treated different. One of the people who used to bully me in highschool is now an employee on my payroll & calls me "Sir". Life is all about how you respond to what's been given to you.

Yea, kinda funny. Hitler had the same thing happen to him. He became boss and killed off his opposition.

Your right , kids should learn might makes right.

just a thought.

Where in the hell did you go to school. This crap is outrageous alright. Dress your boys like boys and not little Barbie Dolls. No wonder there is so much bullying and suicide. This crap is utter nonsense.Didn't work in the 19th, or 20th Century and sure as hell won't work in the 21st Century.

Frespech;

Funny, there wasn't a huge amount of bullying back when FDR was a kid, but here (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html?c=y&page=1) you'll find a picture of him in his youth. In a dress.

Which was consistant with the times but not these times. Nice try though.

Except for the fact that YOU brought it up. And I quote "Didn't work in the 19th, or 20th Century and sure as hell won't work in the 21st Century." I don't know where you learned your history, but using what I learned, I know that 1884 was in the 19th Century. And this continued into the 1900's. So I guess it DID work in the 19th and 20th centuries.

I went to school in deeply red Utah, but nobody stopped my friends and I performing grease songs while role-reversing the sexes (guys dressed as girls, or girls dressed as guys) for a talent show. Nobody stopped the football players from getting into (far too tight, and hideously revealing) cheerleading uniforms while the girls duked it out in full gear on the field for the "powder puff" game, which is a ritual at nearly every school I've seen.

So...why is a kid who wears a dress once in a while all that weird????

So if the ACLU decided to pay attention to you we all shouldn't? Ok.

The ACLU has routinely stood up for the second amendment as well. As such, you are condoning taking away gun rights. And voting rights. And reproductive rights. And...

ACLU,PETA & GLADD are an absolute waste of time and money.

frespech, the ACLU is one of the few groups that defends your right to say whatever stupid nonsense you wish to utter. I'd support them if I were you.

I don't, and won't.

And you frespech are a waste of sperm. Just because you're secretly a cross-dresser yourself and are so ashamed to admit it, don't take it out on these kids.

The ACLU's sole purpose is to uphold the Constitution of the United States. So you are advocating abandoning the Constitution?

I am so thankful that even with all of the INTERFERENCE by the ACLU and all the horrible messages kids get through the media etc. that there are still some kids that know right from wrong...they may not handle it the right way by bullying but when the school allows such ridiculous attire then you just frustrate them to the point of bullying.

Wow. You don't see many people on the pro-bully side.

I'm not on the bullying side either but I find it naive to think that a guy in a dress and high heels and makeup is not going to be made fun of. No more than a football player who came to school wearing a jock strap and a helmet. Get the picture?

I get the picture frespech; your knuckles drag on the ground, that's painful, hence your ornery disposition.

The football player in just a jock and helmet would be laughed with. The girls and gays might drool over him. No one would bully him.

Rick and I get the picture, you like to dress in little girlie dresses. What's your point.

WWJD, is this a real post? Or sarcasm?

That's the same question I am asking about this blog. Is this real or some made up scene from a future Stephen King novel?

Unfortunately I doubt it is in sarcasm (as crazy as it is). The ignorant and bigoted are more common than you think.

WWJD, what JesusWouldDo is undoubtedly point out that the US was founded by christians, theists and atheists and based upon the Magna Carta and ancient Greek democracy, but not founded on God. He would point out that it is wrong to lie. He would point out that he told you not to judge people. He would probably tell you that because of your disregard for his teachings, he doesn't know you.

Thank you Jesus.

We were not founded as a Christian nation, rather as a group of people that fled from religious oppression and wanted a place to practice their individual beliefs. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Paine - all founding fathers and all of them, in their own words, not Christian.

You'd think that they would put this much energy into what children learn against what they wear. We are producing a crop of functional illiterates. They can't compose a readable sentence much less add and subtract.

What part of "This country was NOT founded on Christianity" don't people understand??

Are they willfully ignorant or what?

That being said, I went to Catholic school where everyone wore uniforms. Rich and poor looked alike. No distractions. I would recommend uniforms for every student.

You want to express yourself? Dress in clothing of the opposite sex? Wait til you graduate. School is for learning.

lol Catholic school.. sorry. Went there, did that. Won't send my kids there!

This is not a religious issue. Let's not be mistaken.

You are right, keep.

It isn't a religious issue. But uniforms are the way to go.

They could do so without any constitutional issues. But saying you have to dress gender specific, racially specific, socioeconomically specific or religiously specific is the issue.

a guy in a dress is just putting a huge target on him that says wuss

Nobody said their activity is smart; but it is constitutionally protected. Oh, and spend more time paying attention in school because your grammar really sucks.

And beating up a kid with a "wuss" target on his back makes the bullies feel superior? Yay, big tough manly kids beating up on another kid they feel is weaker. Yeah, sure, I see your point, right, uh huh.

EngEsq, This from a guy who spells "rediculous" give it a rest.

And this by a guy so insecure in his sexuality that the concept of a boy in a dress pisses him off.

Doesn't really make me angry but I definitely would be laughing at him.

Read your history, men did not always wear pants. Men used to wear dresses, even Jesus the son of God did wear a dress like garment, was he a women, I think not.

Men were the first ones to wear high heels, skirts, stalking and panrs, so if a girl wears these things they are the ones crossdressing.

For these reasons I am considering pulling my kids out of public school...common sense seems to have left the building! Boys are boys , girls are girls...please people, these things we learned when we were toddlers.

the fab five, frespech, and Joethehamface: Fine. I get that you never questioned your own gender identity -- for the record, neither did I. But the fact remains that the limits of your own experience don't invalidate the entire remaining spectrum of the human condition. People struggle with all kinds of things, and reasonable accommodations need to be made: it's no different than when I ask someone to trade places with me at a meeting or a restaurant because I need to have my only good ear towards the conversation.

There's nothing inherently immoral about cross-dressing (sorry, I don't buy into the mandates of any religious book) and no one is harmed by it. All of us CHOOSE how to dress, and all of us CHOOSE how to react to everyone else's attire. You don't like it? Fine -- don't. But YOUR discomfort or disapproval is irrelevant in a free society.

Get over yourselves.

Go deedee!

I don't give a rat's ass how you dress on your own time, but while you are in school you should not make an issue of it.

School is for learning the 3 R's.

Once you graduate, then do whatever you want.

But, Tina, where do we draw the line? What about the rich kids with their overpriced designer duds? Or the school-sponsored tradition of the team wearing jerseys on game day? Those things, too, are intended to draw attention to the wearer, but they're tolerated (or even encouraged) because the associated traits are considered socially acceptable.

Also, I'd argue that the students who allow themselves to be distracted by others' attire are at least partially guilty of "making an issue of it". If we really don't want clothes to distract students from their studies, why haven't more schools implemented uniform policies? The truth is that most parents want their kids to be able to express themselves through fashion choices, so we have no right to complain when they do.

That's why I am totally in favor of uniforms.

The truth is that most parents want their kids to be able to read and write.

Kids can express themselves through fashion choices on their own time.

(excuse the double post)

the fab five - PLEASE pull your misguided children out of school, it will just be less home-made bullies to distract the normal students from learning and living in peace.

Tina-293371 - Your archaic views on fashion and dress have been displayed in your uptight profile photo. Welcome to the future, please enjoy your stay.

HEY TERRI-USA! You wouldn't happen to be Terri from the Transgender boards over on Topix, would you hun?

It's ANonBlonde.....it's always good to see you out there fighting for the cause! :)

Vanessa,

I had to laugh at your post calling me uptight.

My profile photo is sort of a joke and was chosen because of my interest in the Civil War and history in general.

I am an aging hippie and about as non-uptight as you can get.

But I believe in education, and with uniforms there are fewer distractions from learning.

Probably couldn't hurt. But thank you for going with pink. Looks fine against my skin, yellow makes me look sickly.

Now, most importantly, what kind and color of shoes would you require? Because, I'd suggest against a Mary-jane or white (too Easter Sunday in church feeling).

Thomas, wish I could be of assistance but I am not that versed on womans shoe styles.

Have a great weekend.

So, frespech - as we all suspected - you live alone. And apparently don't date much, either.

Were you ever a teenager, sir?

...or did you just have two 1950s, and move straight on into the '70s?

When I was a freshman in hs, back in late 50's during freshmen initiation week one of the requirements was guys wore women's (primarily mother's) clothes, and the girls wore men's (primarily father's clothes) to school one day. We didn't know what bullying was back then. Oh yeah, and normally girls did not wear jeans to school, only wore skirts or dresses. The only exception was during winter weather when we had snow on the ground and wind was blowing. I see no reason why there can't be cross-dressing if it is limited to certain occasions, but just normal day-to-day, NO.

Wow TwinSnakes, I sure hope you are childless. The teens and early 20's are when people become "aware" of the world. This is the time when people are supposed to grow into who they will be as adults. Yes guidance from the parents is necessary, but so is being allowed to develop their "selves" in a safe environment while learning to accept other people's "selves" and celebrating the differences. I went to school at the largest public school in my state, it is an extremely respected school consistently earning excellent academic ratings and sent more than 90% of its seniors to college. In time, I sent my kids there and they are both in college now. There were kids of all types there and my children learned a lot about socialization and tolerance as well as diversity while receiving their education. I hope the same is happening with the majority of the kids in that Virginia school. Each generation does something to "shock" their elders and learns something about themselves in the process.

If this is the case then deal with the inappropriate behaviour. If he picks fights punish these actions. Making him dress differently doesn't address the root issue.

I would like to add that rules are in place for protection as well. At work, women are not allowed to wear short skirts, ultra low cut blouses, low rider jeans and sheer clothing because it may attract unwanted behavior from some. If we adults have to abide by certain rules, why can't the children. It won't kill them or destroy who they really are by toning it down. School's have rules for a reason.

Women are told they can't wear low cut shirts and mini skirts to work because it is unprofessional, not for fear of sexual harassment. Someone shouldn't be told what to wear based off the actions of others.

Maybe it is not too late for you to become one of those educators. Somehow I doubt it.

i think students should show to class as if they are going to grow mentally because the teacher is giving them that chance,what actually happens is between the teacher and the student.my teachers did their job and only maybe could have done better,i know i could have done better at social studies if the teacher wasn`t so hot.

"... a gay"? HA!

Do you think them high school 'gays' are out trying to fool the 'straights' so they can get some action? Seriously, if you and your buddies are so quick to jump in the back seat or broom closet with someone that you don't take the time to be able to figure out they're gender, then you've got other issues