Lesbian wearing tux speaks out on prom discrimination

On May 24th, I told you all about Kevin Logan, a gay/transgender student who was denied entry to his senior prom in Gary, Indiana, because he was wearing a dress. School officials cited dress codes barring males from wearing female clothing. Ironically, Logan had worn female clothing to school all year.

Now, the female student who was reportedly allowed to wear a tuxedo (male clothing, duh!) to the same prom is speaking out in an Associated Press article published by 365gay.com News.

According to the article, 17 year old Taleisha Badgett says that the treatment Logan received was unfair. She also says that the school district should adopt policies which treat all students equal, regardless of gender roles/stereotypes.

“Girls can dress like a boy and they are just seen as tomboys,” Badgett told the Post-Tribune of Merrillville. “It’s not a big deal. But if boys wear girls’ clothes it’s a problem. It’s not acceptable. That’s not right.”

Badgett, 17, dressed in a tux, went to the prom with her girlfriend. However, Kevin Logan, who attended school all year wearing female clothing, was denied entrance to the prom because he was in a dress.

The school uniform dress policy, which quotes the First Amendment right of freedom of expression, prohibits halter tops, miniskirts and attire promoting profanity, among other things. It does not say boys cannot wear dresses or skirts.

However, a clause in the code says administrators, at their discretion, can ban clothing they think would be disruptive.

That discretionary judgment is what concerns Badgett and her girlfriend, Laniqua Gaines, who said it’s a window for prejudice that makes victims of boys such as Logan, 18, who prefers to present himself as a female.

Badgett and Gaines, who wore a dress to the prom, say they have no problem with a ban on revealing clothes. But if a dress or skirt covers adequately and would be permissible for a girl, they think it should also be allowed for boys.

“Some girls came to the prom half-naked, and that was allowed. If he (Logan) would have shown up in a tuxedo, that would have been more shocking. And he would have denied himself. It would have been a win for those against him,” Badgett said.

Kevin Logan’s next challenge will be graduation. According to the article the school has said that girls will wear orange robes and boys will wear blue robes. As a person who identifies and dresses a female, Logan wishes to be able to wear the orange robe but says he will wear blue if mandated to him. Logan, however, wants the mandate made in writing.

Posted in Anti-LGBT, Civil Rights, High School, LGBT, LGBT Youth, Politics, Sexuality |