Court Says Teen Boy Can Dress As Woman

Judge Rules City Violated Teen's Rights

[NEW YORK] - A 17-year-old teenager living in foster care may dress as a woman, a state court ruled.

Supreme Court Judge Louise Gans ruled Thursday that the city had violated the teen's rights when the Atlantic Transitional Foster Facility in Brooklyn, a city-run home, prohibited him from wearing dresses and skirts.

The teen, whose name was withheld because of his age, identifies himself as a female. He has been diagnosed with a gender identity disorder and is considered legally disabled.

Representatives of the foster-care facility had argued that the teen wore sexually provocative women's clothing in an all-male home.

A spokeswoman for the Administration for Children's Services said that it had not yet received the decision but had moved the youth to a home where he can wear what he wants.