GGE Publishes Third Report Challenging Dress Code Reform in NYC

By Kimberly Blair

Dear Community, 

In light of recent election news, we at Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) are grieving but also inspired by the words of June Jordan: “We must make language accountable to the truths of our experience.” At GGE, we honor this vision by using the power of language to advocate for policies that uplift Black girls and gender non-conforming youth, championing their freedom of expression at the local level. Most recently, this work helped bring about meaningful change: the City of New York approved Int. 0118-2024 and enacted Local Law 083 of 2024 to create a more uniform dress code for public schools.

Over the past four years, Girls for Gender Equity has worked to publish a series of reports that shine a light on the inherent bias and restrictions dress codes place on Black girls and gender non-conforming youth. 

Recently, GGE has published the Suspending Self-Expression Report Part III to shed light on how New York City school dress code policies engage with young people’s expression of their sexual orientation and gender identity. With this updated version, we dive deeper into the personal stories of Black girls and gender-expansive youth of color and how the cultural influences of social media shape their experiences with dress codes in schools. GGE youth alumna Rayna Young led the evaluation and research done on school handbooks and dress code policies, which culminated in her own research report. 

 When I didn’t feel comfortable with my body, I was able to wear clothes that gave me comfort. […] Schools should be a safe space where [students] can explore their style.”- A student in a school with no enforced dress code 

While GGE youth program participants were in the midst of completing surveys and interviews on their experiences with dress codes, the City Council Committee on Education held a hearing with two dress code bills (bills Int. 118-2024 and Res. 292-2024) on their agenda. With young people already immersed in their stories about their dress code experiences, they seamlessly took to the stands and testified their stories. GGE partner organization Trans formative Schools joined us in testifying on the experiences of trans and gender expansive youth. The strong advocacy work of GGE and its partners came to fruition on August 17,2024, when Int. 0118-2024, which would require the Department of Education (DoE) to post dress code policies on its website and report on dress code policies in DoE schools, was enacted into law! 

The bill’s passage garnered media attention and landed GGE’s Director of Policy Quadira Coles and youth program participant Jasmina Salimova in an article in The New York Times.

As we continue to champion this work, we invite you to read our newest report here and follow us on social media for additional details. 

Kimberly Blair is the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for Girls for Gender Equity. 

Photo source: LinkedIn