In a federal lawsuit filed against the Harrison County School District, a transgender girl and her family are demanding the right for her to wear a dress and heeled shoes with her graduation cap and gown. The Mississippi school district has refused her request, citing a dress code that requires male students to wear white shirts, black slacks, and black shoes. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing the family, argues that this decision is discriminatory and infringes upon the student’s rights.
The transgender girl, identified as L.B. in court documents, has been wearing dresses throughout high school, including to school events such as prom. However, the Harrison Central principal, Kelly Fuller, informed L.B. and her parents that she would need to adhere to the dress code, which specifies that girls should wear white dresses. The ACLU claims that Superintendent Mitchell King initiated the meeting with L.B. after inquiring about what transgender students would be wearing to graduation.
According to the lawsuit, King misgendered L.B. and insisted that she dress in traditionally masculine attire. The family is seeking a temporary restraining order against the school district, and U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden has scheduled a hearing to address the request.
The lawsuit asserts that L.B.’s graduation should be a moment of pride and celebration, but school officials are attempting to turn it into one of humiliation and shame. L.B. emphasizes her right to celebrate her graduation as her authentic self, stating that the chosen attire is entirely appropriate for the ceremony. The ACLU of Mississippi’s staff attorney, McKenna Raney-Gray, highlights that L.B. has lived her entire high school career as a girl and that the school district’s actions aim to strip her of the right to commemorate this important milestone in her true identity.
As the legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about inclusivity, respect, and the rights of transgender students. This case stands as a reminder that the fight for equality continues, with individuals like L.B. challenging discriminatory practices and advocating for their authentic selves.