This week, Morehouse College in Atlanta issued a new “Appropriate Attire Policy,” banning male students from wearing women’s clothing associated with a ‘gay lifestyle.’ Morehouse, a historically black college once attended by Martin Luther King Jr., also banned do-rags, grills, pajamas, and students showing their underwear.

The policy reads that there will be "No wearing of clothing associated with women's garb (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on the Morehouse campus or at College-sponsored events."

Dr. William Bynum, Vice President for Student Services, attributes the ban on clothing specifically to five gay students of Morehouse who cross-dress. “[The five students] are living a gay lifestyle that is leading them to dress a way we do not expect in Morehouse men,” Bynum said.

Despite Bynum’s statement, Morehouse President Robert Franklin said that the new policy is not discriminatory.

“Morehouse College has a no-tolerance position on discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and the College has taken great strides towards building a diverse and tolerant community,” said Franklin.

Other supporters of the policy claim that it will help increase professionalism and esteem. Cameron Thomas-Shah, co-chief of staff of the Student Government Association supports the policy, saying that it is consistent with the college’s values and a history of black male leadership.

“We have a legacy to protect,” said Thomas-Shah.

Support for the policy, however, is not universal.  Kevin Webb, co-president of the gay-straight alliance, Safe Space @ Morehouse, is bothered by the policies.

Webb said that there is no connection between a Morehouse students’ clothing and their work. “What impact does it have on how intelligent they are, their grade point average and how much community service they do?"

Issues of free expression do not appear to be prominent in discussions of the policy on campus, though many writers in off campus publications have raised concerns about students’ First Amendment rights.  Likewise, off campus commentators have expressed outrage over the motivation for the policy. 


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