A transgender teenager in Mississippi skipped her high school graduation instead of being forced to attend in 'boy clothes'. The student—identified as "L.B."—was informed abruptly that she would need to be wearing 'boy clothes' under her graduation gown, rather than the dress and heels she planned on wearing.
L.B.'s family immediately filed a lawsuit against Harrison County School District. But it was struck down by a federal judge before the teen's graduation. L.B. and her family were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The lawsuit stated L.B. attended Harrison Central High School as a girl for all four years. She recently attended prom in a sparkly blue dress with no protestations from the administration.
L.B. stated:
“I was being me, and I felt very accepted at the time, I felt very understood. I felt that I had a great support system at that school.”
That support system was yanked from her when the district superintendent, Mitchell King, decided to get involved in what one student in his district wore under her graduation gown.
King, the lawsuit alleged, instigated the questioning from Harrison Central High School administration. He later followed up in a call with L.B.'s parents in which the lawsuit alleged he misgendered L.B. several times and insisted the district uses birth certificates to determine gender.
L.B. noted:
"My graduation is supposed to be a moment of pride and celebration and school officials want to turn it into a moment of humiliation and shame."
You can see local news coverage here:
Trans girl misses Mississippi graduation after being told to dress like boy www.youtube.com
People were incensed on her behalf.
\u201c@TheAdvocateMag Ruining a special day for one girl must make both the superintendent and the judge feel very happy, ruining one special occasion that affected no one else , I hate what our judiciary is becoming\u201d— The Advocate (@The Advocate) 1684764059
\u201c@ashtonpittman @margar45 @sunherald Judge ruled that? Are we back to 1940? \ud83d\ude21\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@JustinMitchell_ @margar45 The bigotry is horrific. Systemic persecution. I hope this teen has support from her community.\u201d— Justin Mitchell (@Justin Mitchell) 1684562078
Many people pointed out this isn't justice but rather cruelty.
\u201c@ashtonpittman This is the opposite of justice. It is mean spirited, transphobic, authoritarianism, having nothing to do with education. It is a control flex. Shame on the school for punishing someone for what they wear and who they are and on the Judge for not calling it out for what it is\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@ashtonpittman This story is heartbreaking. Evil, bigoted man denying this young woman her humanity on a day she should be celebrating\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@JustinMitchell_ @ashtonpittman @margar45 Cruelty for cruelty\u2019s sake. Disgusting.\u201d— Justin Mitchell (@Justin Mitchell) 1684562078
Some asked why a dress even matters?
\u201c@ashtonpittman @margar45 @sunherald Why is this even a issue. The judge is wrong. Attire doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@ashtonpittman @margar45 @sunherald How does that affect anybody\u2019s life if she wears a dress? So petty. This is her moment, her special day too! Leave her alone and don\u2019t ruin her celebrating her hard work.\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
Others shared information about the superintendent who instigated the whole matter.
\u201c@ashtonpittman Emperor Palatine's nephew. They found him.\nTell me that dudes parents weren't yelling at kids who were desegregating Mississippi schools in the 1960's (or was it the 70's in Mississippi?)\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@ashtonpittman @DebraBenedict3 He looks like he oozes sanctimonious self-righteousness from every pore.\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
\u201c@ashtonpittman He looks like he has a white hood on standby for his weekend attire.\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
Some summed it up, saying the goal should be to be better humans.
\u201c@ashtonpittman @SIfill_ Saddest thing I've read today. The school superintendent and officials should be required to dress as compassionate respectful human beings and if they can't do that, then they should not be allowed to attend.\u201d— Ashton Pittman (@Ashton Pittman) 1684567694
L.B. did not attend graduation.
Her family and the ACLU are considering further options for legal action.
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