This is so outrageous. La Feria High School senior Jeydon Loredo is fighting to have his picture included in the yearbook. Why? All because he's wearing
what every other male high school senior is wearing in their photos—a tuxedo.
La Feria Independent School District Superintendent Rey Villarreal told his mother that Jeydon’s photograph would be included only if he wore stereotypically feminine attire, such as a drape or blouse, according to South Texas News.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve grown up with the kids here,” Loredo said. “I’ve seen those in my community go through troubles, and denying my tuxedo photo would be a way for the district to forget me and everything I’ve brought to this community. The yearbook is for the students, not the faculty or the administration. It is a way for us to remember each other.”
Support for Jeydon is piling on from organizations like
the HRC and
SPLC:
The SPLC is defending Jeydon’s rights, demanding that the district allow the photo to be published or face a federal lawsuit. The demand comes after the SPLC and the Human Rights Campaign offered a guidance letter in an attempt to address this situation absent litigation. The SPLC’s demand letter was sent to district officials today, two days after the school board refused to take action on an appeal by Jeydon.
Here's a news broadcast where you can hear about this fight from Jeydon himself:
Let's hope the district officials are listening.