Sunday, February 28, 2010

Skirts for Girls in School Discriminatory

Schools which force girls to wear skirts may be breaking the law - because the policy apparently discriminates against transsexuals.
UK Commission: 'pupils born female with gender dysphoria experienced great discomfort being forced to wear stereotypical girls’ clothes — for example a skirt.'

-- From "Schools should not force girls to wear skirts - it discriminates against transsexuals, warns watchdog" by Arthur Martin, UK Daily Mail 2/22/10

Official guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission says the dress code may breach the rights of girls who feel compelled to live as boys.

In a 68-page report on the human rights of transsexuals, the watchdog says that 'requiring pupils to wear gender-specific clothes is potentially unlawful'.

The guidance has been produced ahead of the Government’s Equality Bill which is likely to come into force this autumn.

The bill extends new rights to people who believe they were born into the wrong gender.

They gain this protection 'regardless of whether or not they intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment'.

[Schools] must do all they can to ensure transsexual children do not suffer discrimination, or face potential legal sanctions.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.