The Magnolia Independent School District in Texas has banned male students from having long hair - and now seven students are suing for the right to keep their lengthy locks.
Per The Independent, the lawsuit was filed in federal court last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
One of the plaintiffs is a nine-year-old boy known only as AC in legal documents. He was allegedly punished for not cutting his long hair - he had to serve a month-long suspension, was not able to go out for recess and lunch, and was banned from the school campus.
He was also sent away to another school - simply due to the length of his hair.
"Wearing long hair adds to AC’s self-confidence and is an important part of his family heritage," the suit states.
The plaintiffs are between seven and 17 years old and they believe the rule is based on unfair gender-based stereotypes, and, as such, violates their constitutional rights.
The boys also claimed that the ban is being applied against some students while others have remained under the radar. The rule, they said, has led to "immense and irreparable harm".
According to the school district's handbook, hair belonging to male students must be "no longer than the bottom of a dress shirt collar, bottom of the ear, and out of the eyes."
It also states that "earrings may be worn only by girls. Earrings worn by boys will be confiscated and may not be returned to the student".
The dress code also stipulates that "no beards or mustaches of any style are allowed on students. Sideburns may not be longer than the bottom of the ear".
School officials defended the dress code in a statement to KPRC in August: "Magnolia ISD has used a dress code that sets different standards for boys and girls for many years. For example, hair length for boys must be no longer than the bottom of the collar.
"This has been approved by the Texas courts and continues to be used by roughly half the districts in the state of Texas.
"The differentiated dress and grooming standards do not violate Title IX and are included in the student handbook each year. Magnolia ISD’s approach to the dress code reflects the values of our community at large."
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