5
comments
|
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Jonathan Escobar, a 16 year old high school student at North Cobb High School in Atlanta has chosen to walk away from his education rather than conform to the school's dress code policy that mandates he wear more gender appropriate attire.
Escobar says an assistant principal at North Cobb High School told him last week he needed to dress more "manly" for school, or consider being home-schooled.
Escobar says he chooses to wear clothes that express himself and does not consider himself a cross-dresser although skinny jeans, wigs, "vintage" clothing and makeup is his wardrobe of choice.
Escobar said the assistant principal told him his style of dress had caused a fight between students at the school. Two days later, he withdrew himself from the Kennesaw school.
Over 900 classmates rallied to Escobar's defense by creating a Support Jonathan group on Facebook.
"If a girl can dress like a guy but a guy can't dress like a girl it's not right, says classmate Luke Dempsey.
Escobar says he wants to be allowed to attend school and eventually graduate. But he doesn't want to stifle what he calls his art.
"If I can't express myself, I won't go to school," he said. "I want to get the message out there that because this is who I am, I can't get an education."
I'm still shocked that Escobar had the courage to attend school in female clothing. Atlanta has the reputation for being one of the most progressive cities in the south, but if you travel outside of the perimeter the racist and homophobic reputation the south is known for is very much alive.
Watch a WSBTV news report of this story here.
Thanks @DaStaren
5 Comments:
Not only is he brave and secure within himself but he also looks great in Chanel. I love that he has support!
October 07, 2009 9:07 AM
i want to know more about the assistant principal. i'll hold my other comments to myself until then
October 07, 2009 9:36 AM
his mug beat though
ok but seriously, 900 of the student body is supporting him...sounds like the administration is the one with the "problem..."
October 08, 2009 5:33 AM
Okay, I'll have to dissent on this one. Schools have a dress code. From what I've read this guy likes to wear pink wigs to school...How is that NOT a violation of the dress code?
Granted, the comment, "You need to dress more manly" was totally bigoted; however, there is a time and a place for self expression. School is not that. He is the fool for dropping out...Not the school for enforcing policy.
October 08, 2009 1:53 PM
Good for him!! STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!! When that many students are supportive of what this one student is doing... its time to stop and look inward. Who's really the one with an issue? Cuz its obviously not the student for whom the school is designed to serve.
@Toddyeunglish.. A wig? wait no... A PINK WIG... the assistant princle's comment is DIRECTLY from the misogynistic patriarchal society we live in. That masculine ideal being forced upon us IS NOT OKAY. One of the students already stated the issue in the article "If a girl can dress like a guy but a guy can't dress like a girl it's not right"... HELLO!!!!!!!
October 09, 2009 12:07 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home