Gender-neutral uniforms conquer schools
The uniforms no longer have a gender. Soon a year after a group of teenagers protested against dress discrimination by wearing skirts , schools are answering the call by switching to gender-neutral clothing. This fall, the Quebec supplier of school uniforms Raphaël U is also offering non-binary haircuts to more than sixty schools near Montreal.
“It was a rallying cry,” comments Tammy Hattem, co-founder of Raphaël U , referring to the students of the Lucile-Teasdale international school in Brossard, who had adopted the skirt as a sign of solidarity with their sisters. It's rare that boys will get so involved in a cause for girls. ”
Sensitive to LGBTQ2S + issues and more particularly to those of non-binary people, the entrepreneur says she understands why clothes and appearance play an important role in self-definition, especially among adolescents. While wearing the uniform helps to minimize the anxiety of looking good for some, other discomforts persist when a single gender line has been suggested. “Boys with a more skinny figure may feel better in the girls' cut, but don't dare ask for it,” says Tammy Hattem.
“It was a rallying cry,” comments Tammy Hattem, co-founder of Raphaël U , referring to the students of the Lucile-Teasdale international school in Brossard, who had adopted the skirt as a sign of solidarity with their sisters. It's rare that boys will get so involved in a cause for girls. ”
Sensitive to LGBTQ2S + issues and more particularly to those of non-binary people, the entrepreneur says she understands why clothes and appearance play an important role in self-definition, especially among adolescents. While wearing the uniform helps to minimize the anxiety of looking good for some, other discomforts persist when a single gender line has been suggested. “Boys with a more skinny figure may feel better in the girls' cut, but don't dare ask for it,” says Tammy Hattem.
The Blainville-based company has changed the terminology of several of its songs by eliminating any mention of genre. “We tried to find names where everyone can meet,” says the entrepreneur. Instead of calling a cut "feminine", we will rather call it "adjusted", in the same way that the "masculine" shorts become "basket". “As soon as young people feel comfortable wearing the garment they like the most, we have already taken a step forward,” says the designer.
Open dialogue
The schools and parents who do business with Raphaël U have for the most part been receptive to the creation of this new line. “We were so well received that people are asking for more,” assures the founder, who confides that the Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert has, since the launch of its non-gendered collection, amended its code of conduct to include non-gender identity. -binary.
For parents who fear their children wearing clothes normally attributed to the opposite sex, Tammy Hattem advises opening the dialogue by asking more questions: "What does the youngster like about wearing a shirt?" skirt? Does he simply want to explore or is he in deeper identity questioning? This leaves room for a conversation that can turn out to be very rich. ”
Raphaël U will soon collaborate with the styling firm Les Effrontés in order to develop even more non-gendered clothing. “We are working on around thirty pieces such as polo shirts and pants that can appeal to both boys and girls, as well as non-binary people,” she explains.
“It's a movement for young people above all. The more companies that join the movement, the better it is for them,
regardless of the volume of our sales, ”concludes the businesswoman.
Open dialogue
The schools and parents who do business with Raphaël U have for the most part been receptive to the creation of this new line. “We were so well received that people are asking for more,” assures the founder, who confides that the Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert has, since the launch of its non-gendered collection, amended its code of conduct to include non-gender identity. -binary.
For parents who fear their children wearing clothes normally attributed to the opposite sex, Tammy Hattem advises opening the dialogue by asking more questions: "What does the youngster like about wearing a shirt?" skirt? Does he simply want to explore or is he in deeper identity questioning? This leaves room for a conversation that can turn out to be very rich. ”
Raphaël U will soon collaborate with the styling firm Les Effrontés in order to develop even more non-gendered clothing. “We are working on around thirty pieces such as polo shirts and pants that can appeal to both boys and girls, as well as non-binary people,” she explains.
“It's a movement for young people above all. The more companies that join the movement, the better it is for them,
regardless of the volume of our sales, ”concludes the businesswoman.
METRO
Charlotte Mercille
https://journalmetro.com/societe/education/2691694/les-uniformes-non-genres-conquierent-les-ecoles/
Charlotte Mercille
https://journalmetro.com/societe/education/2691694/les-uniformes-non-genres-conquierent-les-ecoles/