Male teachers appear in skirts across Spain to support boy who was expelled and forced to visit psychologist for wearing one to class.
Some male teachers appear in skirts across Spain
Teachers in Spain have been wearing skirts to class as part of a campaign challenging gender stereotypes.
The Clothes Have No Gender movement was launched by math teacher Jose Piñas in November after one of his female students was expelled and forced to go to a psychologist for wearing a skirt to class.
Last month it gained momentum again when Manuel Ortega, 37, and Borja Veláquez, 36, of the Virgen de Sacedón school in Valladolid, swapped pants for skirts.
Both took a knee during the month of May after seeing one of their students being harassed with homophobic insults for wearing a T-shirt with an anime character on it, forcing him to change his attire.
Ortega said he was “horrified” by the vicious taunts, prompting him to associate himself with Velazquez and “promote tolerance” by wearing a skirt during the month of May.
The couple told El Pais that they had seen a noticeable positive change in student behavior since they began wearing the skirts.
But they insist these results are only “the tip of the iceberg” and say the school should do more to promote respect and tolerance in the classroom.
Basque Country teacher Piñas launched the movement in November after realizing that little had changed since his student days 20 years ago.
“I want to join the cause of the student Mikel, who has been expelled and sent to the psychologist for going to class wearing a skirt.”
Mikel Gomez, 15, has taken to TikTok to document the outpouring of support he has received since November.
The video, which has accumulated millions of views, has led other people, including students, to join the challenge and has garnered praise from teachers and parents online.
