It’s no secret that the largest state in the USA is also one of the most conservative. But when it comes to clothing style, even in Texas there has been no controversy so far. Not so in the Ministry of Agriculture.
As first reported by the “Texas Observer”, the agency issued new dress codes on April 13, according to which employees are required to dress “according to their biological sex”. Although there was already a dress code, there was no mention of gender-specific appearance. It is still unclear whether the new regulation was decided exclusively for the Ministry of Agriculture. Either way, critics see it as the next poorly-disguised assault on trans rights.
The memo published by the local newspaper states that from now on only “Western clothing is desired”. What exactly does the ministry, led by arch-conservative Trumpist Sid Miller, consider appropriate attire?
“For men, business attire includes a long-sleeved shirt, tie and sport coat worn with trousers and shoes or boots,” it said.
“For women, business attire includes tailored pantsuits, business dresses, coordinated outfits with or without a blazer, and conservative closed-toe shoes or boots.” In addition, women should not show an “excessive décolleté” and would have to do without skirts that are five centimeters shorter than knee height. Basically, clothing that is too tight and revealing should be avoided.
Neon and bright hair colors are also strictly forbidden, as are nose, lip and other facial piercings. “You’re a professional, so you look like one,” it says literally, under the heading “Examples of standards for men and women”.
What exceeds the limits of the new decency should ultimately be decided by the respective superiors. If an employee persistently refuses, they may be fired. “If an employee’s inappropriate clothing, poor hygiene, or the use of objectionable perfume/scent is an issue, the supervisor should first discuss the issue privately with the employee and point out the specific areas that need to be corrected,” he said the memo.
The new guidelines leave plenty of room for interpretation. “Are women no longer allowed to wear suits? Can men wear necklaces?” asks LGBTQ activist Ricardo Martinez of the Equality Texas lobby group in the Texas Tribune. An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union said the policy violated existing laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Like many Republican-dominated US states, Texas has been taking increasingly tough action against what they see as “woke” politics in recent months, thereby curtailing the rights of trans people. In Montana, conservative parliamentarians recently expelled the trans MP Zooey Zephyr, in Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is influential beyond state borders, is fighting a culture war.
It is no coincidence that a Texas authority comes up with such questionable guidelines. According to the news platform “Axios”, no other state government has acted as harshly against trans rights as the Lone Star State. In this session alone, 57 corresponding bills were submitted. According to reports, this is intended, among other things, to make gender reassignment treatments more difficult and to limit the topic of trans identity in school lessons.
By the way, it is clear what Sid Miller himself understands by gender-conforming clothing: The 67-year-old wears a cowboy hat. Photos of a hated Miller are as rare as transgender lawmakers in Texas politics. At least almost.
Sources: “Texas Observer”; “Guardians”; “Texas Tribune”; “Axios”
