Pleasanton high school student launches petition to end 'sexist' dress code

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- Short shorts, spaghetti straps and crop tops -- such clothing is banned at Pleasanton's Foothill High School. An effort is underway to change that, calling the current dress code sexist.

Many say the dress code unfairly targets girls and so far it's an issue that has gained a lot of traction over the past week.

"Girls, if we walk around in a tank top like this, I get sent to the office before first period," said Gabi Lemoine, a Foothill High School senior.

Lemoine said she would never wear a tank top that could show her bra strap during school hours.

According to the dress code at Foothill High, "clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. Halter tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, bare midriffs and skirts or shorts shorter than reasonable length are prohibited."

Many girls are fed up and now sophomore Sanam Nawim has launched a petition.

"I would like to be respected regardless of what I'm wearing you know," said Nawim. "I don't think that my bra straps should determine how someone treats me."

A district spokesperson told our media partner, the Contra Costa Times, that it's a basic dress code that also applies to boys. For example, wearing pants hanging down so low that underwear exposed is not allowed. Even so, many in the community are applauding the petition.

"I think it's very good for young people to be articulating their political point of view," said Rachel Ensler, a parent.

"The way their doing it is better than other ways of just doing it and not caring about the rules and getting in trouble," Aaron Ensler, a student said.

So far, more than 2,000 people have signed the petition. The plan is to present this to the school board in the coming weeks.