Cookie banner

This site uses cookies. Select "Block all non-essential cookies" to only allow cookies necessary to display content and enable core site features. Select "Accept all cookies" to also personalize your experience on the site with ads and partner content tailored to your interests, and to allow us to measure the effectiveness of our service.

To learn more, review our Cookie Policy, Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.

or
clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Male Student Sent to Principal's Office For Wearing High Heels

New, 3 comments

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

A male student at Florida's Riverview High School was sent to the principal's office because he was wearing high heels—and his teacher claimed he was disturbing the class. Apparently, the other kids were calling him names. The principal, Bob Hellmann's solution? He asked the student to take off the shoes.

"Anytime anyone goes out from, quote, 'the norm' or anytime anyone wants to make a statement, you have to be willing to take what comes with it," the principal told a local Fox affiliate, though, he admitted, the shoes did not violate school dress code.

A friend of the student, who remained unnamed in the news report, defended the student's choice of footwear.

"He likes the way they make him feel. They make him feel more confident, and he just likes to wear them," said Riverview High School senior Hayley Stepp, who says she's a friend of the student.

Stepp says he's proud of who he is, but embarrassed now.

"The first time he felt shame was when he was called out of school," said Stepp.

· Boy in high heels removed from class [Fox Tampa Bay]