HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	145
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the board of education to develop and enforce non-sex segregated dress codes for public school formal events.

WHEREAS, in the school year 2021-2022, an East Oahu public high school had sex-segregated dress codes for formal events such as homecoming and graduation; and

WHEREAS, students of the East Oahu public high school expressed their concerns in a student-made petition about the sex-segregated dress codes for public school formal events; and

WHEREAS, the current sex-segregated dress codes for public school formal events uphold the false idea that the definitions of sex and gender are the same; and

WHEREAS, the current sex-segregated dress codes for public school formal events uphold negative sex-based stereotypes; and

WHEREAS, the current public school sex-segregated dress codes do not uphold Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, codified as title 20 United States Code section 1681 et seq., which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and protects those who do not conform with sex-based stereotypes; and

WHEREAS, the current public school sex-segregated dress codes do not uphold Act 110, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and expression in the State; and

WHEREAS, the current public school sex-segregated dress codes do not uphold the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as contained in the United States Bill of Rights, which protects the right of expression; and

WHEREAS, the development of non-sex segregated dress codes will help make public school formal events more inclusive to māhū, gender non-conforming, and transgender students; and

WHEREAS, the development of non-sex segregated dress codes would affirm students with a diversity of gender expressions rather than alienate them; and

WHEREAS, the Honolulu Youth Commission adopted Resolution 22-020, urging the Board of Education to push for non‑sex segregated dress codes for public school formal events; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that the Board of Education is urged to work with schools and youth leaders to develop and enforce non-sex segregated dress codes for public school formal events to create a positive and safe space for all students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, and Chair of the Honolulu Youth Commission.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Board of Education; Non-sex Segregated Dress Code; Formal Events