Makeup is offensive and suspension-worthy if worn by a boy, a Calgary principal has declared. But to ban a boy from wearing makeup is a violation of his rights, the teen and his family counter.
Kevin Yates, 14, began wearing eyeliner to Bob Edwards junior high in Marlborough about a month ago and has been in a struggle over freedom of expression with the school ever since.
Yates likes to emulate the punk-rock look with dark eye-lined eyes and his parents see no problem with it.
But the school does. Yates has had to spend entire school days in the principal's office when he wears the makeup, and he's been handed one-day suspensions for what he says is his way of expressing himself.
At a meeting with school officials, Yates' parents were told their son is an affront to community standards and good taste.
CBE spokesman Graham White said the principal in this case kiboshed Kevin's makeup because it was distracting students from their studies.
"It's up to principals to make rules around what's an appropriate appearance and attire at their school," White said.
That could include cross-dressers or anyone who dresses in a way that takes the focus off learning, he said.
© 2004 - Calgary Sun