LoHud.com: Transgender teen says he has support at Brewster school

Brewster High School student Michael Loscalzo said he was scared to go to school yesterday, given all the attention he's received for his recent decision to start dressing as a girl.

But as the day wore on, he was pleasantly surprised to find that students who normally wouldn't talk to him were congratulating him and saying hello in the halls, he explained after school.

It makes me feel really good about myself and makes me think that people understand where I'm coming from," said Loscalzo, 17. "If anything, people have noticed how brave I am for doing this."

In the past month, Loscalzo began going to class donning makeup and women's clothes. He said school officials warned him Friday that he would be suspended if he continued to cross-dress. Administrators denied his claim, saying the issue was about inappropriate attire and not cross-dressing.

To support Loscalzo, several students organized an "Equality Protest" this week by showing up to school dressed as the opposite sex.

The movement and Loscalzo's decision to come out as a transgender have sparked mixed emotions throughout the community.

Some Brewster High School parents supported Loscalzo.

"I give him credit. He's trying to be who he is," said Laurie Austin, who has a 10th- and 11th-grader at Brewster High. "So many kids don't know what they want, and for him to feel comfortable in being who he feels he should be, is fantastic."

Others expressed concern, arguing that it is a disruption to the educational process.
"Schools should be a disciplined environment with few distractions," said Jim Hogan, who has an 11th-grade daughter in the school. "If you want to express yourself, do it on your own time, outside of school."

Advocates weighed in on the matter yesterday, saying that the school's first concern should be in creating a safe, learning environment for all students.
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