Oxford bends the rules on gender dress code

The 900-year-old Oxford University has changed the laws about its academic dress code following concerns they discriminated against transgender students. Students taking exams or attending formal occasions will no longer have to wear ceremonial clothing that is specific to their gender. The revised laws, which went into effect this month, follow a motion put forward by the university’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer society. The old rules, known as subfusc (Latin for a dark/dusky colour), required male students to wear a dark suit and socks, black shoes, a white bow tie and a plain white shirt and collar under their black gowns. Women wear a dark skirt or trousers, a white blouse, black stockings and shoes and a black ribbon tied in a bow at the neck.