NJ School Pulls “Cross-dressing” Project

One parent and an antigay blogger managed to stop a women’s history project that involved historical fashions at a Maple Shade, New Jersey elementary school this week. They said the project promoted a “gay agenda” by suggesting that boys dress in women’s clothing from different time periods.

According to the Associated Press, “The latest saga began this month when teacher Tonya Uibel sent a letter home with her pupils announcing that all third-graders at Maude Wilkins were required to participate in a Women's History Month project examining how women's fashion has changed over time.

“The letter said, in part: ‘If your child is a young man, he does not have to wear a dress or skirt, as there are many time periods where women wore jeans, pants and trousers. However, each child must be able to express what time period their outfit is from. Most of all, your child should have fun creating their outfit and learning about how women's clothing has changed!’”

Janine Giandomenico, whose son is in the class, complained on Facebook, and her comment was picked up by Warner Todd Huston, a writer and editor for the Publius’ Forum site.

Huston suggested that the women’s fashion event scheduled for Friday was timed to coincide with the national Day of Silence to protest antigay bullying.

He wrote, "Pushing the gay agenda while feminizing our young boys through a cross-dressing day? This isn't your parent's grade school celebration, for sure.”

As the story began to generate national attention, principal Beth Norcia decided to cancel the fashion show at the school in Maple Shade. She said that students would express the evolutions in women’s fashions through drawing instead.