Montgomery County Making Graduation Robes Gender-Neutral

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Three Montgomery County high schools are making graduation robes gender-neutral with one color to respect transgender students.

Damascus, Sherwood and Walter Johnson High Schools have shifted to single-color robes this year, instead of two separate colors for males and females.

At least five others have decided to make the change next year.

Principals say student letters played a role in the decision.

The change comes amid growing awareness of the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students nationwide.

There is no district policy about cap and gown colors in Montgomery. Some schools have long had a single color for all graduates, but the dual-color scheme has been popular at others.

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