SA schools must adopt transgender affirming uniform policies
mambaonline.comAmid reports of discrimination against transgender and non-binary school pupils, activists are calling for national non-discriminatory uniform guidelines. The recent reopening of schools saw a furore erupt on a Western Cape school social media group over a “boy wearing a dress”, highlighting the lack of consistent and constitutionally appropriate policies on the issue.
While South Africa’s constitution affirms the equal rights of citizens when it comes to gender and sexual orientation, some school governing bodies continue to enforce ad hoc discriminatory policies, often with the support of parents.
In July last year, a 16-year-old transgender Strand High School student, who refused to wear a dress, was barred from wearing the grey trousers worn by boys in the school.
In October, pop star-turned-preacher Heinz Winckler was accused of heading a group of parents questioning a Somerset West school’s decision to embrace a transgender pupil’s gender identity.
