Suburban NY high school plans gender-neutral graduation garb

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island high school graduation ceremony later this month will feature gender-neutral attire.

A spokeswoman for the Port Washington school district says all students graduating from Paul D. Schreiber High School will wear blue gowns and white stoles.

Spokeswoman Deirdre Gilligan says the new approach was made at the request of a student who was not identified.

The school's graduation ceremony is scheduled June 23.

Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/1ObVIlI ) says the high school is one of several in recent years that have opted for the gender-neutral approach to reflect sensitivity toward transgender students.

Valedictorian Asena Ulug hopes it becomes a trend at other schools.

The Juli Grey-Owens of the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition agrees that it's a positive step.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com

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The Gayly - 6/7/2016 @ 10:43 a.m. CDT