A teenage girl at a Texas high school was reportedly disciplined for exercising in a sports bra - while her male classmates worked out shirtless.
As reported on TODAY.com, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has thrown support behind a Texas girl after she attempted to make working out in 100-degree heat more comfortable by removing her shirt.
According to an in-depth press release from the ACLU, the 16-year-old female student - identified only as G.H. - is a student at Spring Woods High School in Houston and competes as a cross-country and track athlete.
On the day in question - which took place last summer - the eight-page letter details how both male and female students were informed that they could run shirtless as they prepared for the cross-country practices.
However, despite the sweltering temperatures, the girls were allegedly told that they would have to wear shirts and not run in their sports bras. The decision apparently came after the school district had introduced a dress code that said it was "inappropriate to be showing skin" for both male and female students.
But after the girl witnessed a boy remove his shirt and receive no form of discipline, the letter says that she decided to do the same and continue working out in her sports bra.
"Immediately, the coaches yelled at her to put a shirt on," the ACLU's letter states. "When [the girl] pointed out that the same coaches were allowing a boy to practice without issue, they then asked that student to don a shirt."
When the girl and a female teammate continued to complain that they were not being treated the same as their male counterparts, they were allegedly kicked out of the practice, per the letter.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, the teenager said: "I want people to know that this is a new generation, and you can’t continue to follow the same misogynistic and sexist rules that you may have followed in the 50s."
The teen's mom also spoke to the Daily Beast and revealed that she had attended a parent meeting in 2022 about the matter and was told by the coach: "This is a rule, we don’t want any butts, boobs and bellies out."
"I was very offended by the comment," the mom said. "I thought it was very misogynistic. And I couldn’t believe that the coach said that in a parent meeting."
The ACLU's letter goes on to claim that the teen received unfair treatment as a result of her speaking out.
The 16-year-old was allegedly "deliberately ignored" as cross country season transitioned into this year’s winter track season, and she was "dismissed, mistreated, and improperly coached by district employees".
The ACLU writes: "Her coaches’ mistreatment and discriminatory conduct has severely diminished her love for the sport, and their failure to coach [her] and her teammates has negatively impacted her chances of gaining an athletic scholarship for college."
Despite the teen and her teammates complaining to the administration, the district sought no action.
As a result, the teen's passion for running has declined, the ACLU writes, and she now wants to pursue a career as a teacher in the future.
In the response to the ACLU accusing the school district of a "biased dress code policy" and "unequal treatment", the Spring Branch Independent School District has released a statement that reads: "We are aware of the situation with one student at one of our high schools who is dissatisfied with SBISD practices, which are applied to all athletes at that campus. SBISD is currently investigating this matter."
ACLU member Liza Davis - who is one of the two members representing the teen - says: "No student should be mistreated because they spoke up for their rights."
"We're asking for a meeting. We're hoping to work with them on changes so they can bring their policies and practices with their legal responsibilities," Davis added in a statement given to ABC13.
And for now, the teen says she will continue to run, so that her teammates know "that just because somebody wants you to quit, it doesn’t mean that you should".