Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A male high school student in Mississippi is drawing attention after deciding to finish his senior year dressing as a girl.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi said Wednesday it is working with the South Panola High School student to ensure a smooth transition in the early stages of gender transformation.

ACLU Mississippi Legal Director Bear Atwood would identify the student as only "Leah." Atwood said a few parents in the Batesville area voiced concern, but most students are supportive.

Mike Foster, interim superintendent of South Panola School District, said officials will "follow what the law says" in protecting students' constitutional rights to dress in accordance with the gender in which they identify.

South Panola, in Batesville, is a school of about 1,200 students in north Mississippi and is best known for its powerhouse football team, which has won multiple state championships over the past decade, including this past school year.

Foster said about a dozen students protested the student's decision to dress as a girl this week by not following the school's dress code, but he said there hasn't been as much controversy as some people suggest. Foster said the principal followed the usual guidelines for dress code violations, but a few of the students were suspended after becoming defiant.

Foster said he has fielded calls from a handful of concerned parents, and one asked to be put on the agenda for next month's school board meeting.

Atwood said the student did not want to be interviewed. Atwood said gender transformation is a long process that begins with a person dressing in accordance with the gender in which he or she identifies. The process later includes medications and surgery.

A Facebook page called "Mississippians Support Leah" got more than 1,500 "likes" in less than 24 hours after being created by Betsy Chapman, of Oxford.

"The outpouring of support from people around the world is incredibly moving, but it's the support from Mississippians that means the most because it provides hope for those of us who want to see the state we love move forward," Chapman said.

Atwood, the ACLU lawyer, said "it's a complex situation." She said a small group of people has spoken out against Leah, but in spite of that, she's also received a great deal of support.

"It's an issue that people in Mississippi don't understand very well. And so we're working with the school and Leah to make sure her constitutional rights are upheld and she can go to school in a safe learning environment," Atwood said.