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
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