Good news! British schools are introducing gender-neutral uniform policies

All of the applause for new gender-neutral uniform policies being enacted in the U.K. According to The Independent, “80 institutions, including 40 primary schools, have either removed reference to girls and boys in their dress codes or have rewritten their uniform policy.” We absolutely love this.

For as long as we can remember, school uniforms have meant that girls wear skirts or dresses, and boys wear slacks. Sometimes things are slightly different, but uniforms almost always come with a gender divide. Looks like the times, they may be a changin’.

This new change toward gender-neutral uniforms in the U.K. is part of a government-funded initiative to help combat discrimination amongst school children, and to make them all feel as though they are able to express their true selves.

What exactly does this uniform change mean? Paula Weaver, the headteacher at Allens Croft primary school in Birmingham, told The Guardian that, “Children are expected to wear uniform, but they can wear whatever part of that uniform they want.”

A spokesperson for the organization Stonewall spoke to The Independent commending the change, “We welcome all efforts to support young people on trans and gender identity issues and ensure that they feel happy, welcome and accepted at school, and it’s encouraging to see this move. No trans person should be forced to present in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. When this happens, it can be deeply damaging, particularly for young people.”

Here in the U.S., gender-neutral uniforms are not common in schools, though they have recently become part of Navy dress.

As for us, we’re thrilled to hear about changes like this. It’s these kinds of tweaks to everyday policies that are essential, and will go a long way to creating a more inclusive society.