Angus McCormack said he was shown the door during a Foundation Day service at his former school, Bendigo’s Girton Grammar, because of his choice of outfit.
McCormack describes the events in a Facebook post, which has been liked more than 15,000 times and shared more than 4000 times
“Upon my arrival at the cathedral, after greeting a lot of excited staff and students on my way in, I was approached by the deputy head at the aisle and without even greeting me she told me I was ‘inappropriately dressed’ and commanded that I 'leave the event',” the post said.
Read the post below:
The teenager, who was the school’s captain in 2013, attended the event as a guest of his father who is a member of the school's board.
McCormack said he left the service “to avoid further embarrassment and a potentially ugly scene”.
In the post, McCormack said he was openly gay and diverted from a plan to wear “killer heels”, to instead “tone down” his appearance.
He posted a photograph of the outfit, which includes a small earring, a white shirt with a black bow tie and black jacket.
Girton Grammar headmaster, Matthew Maruff, responded by saying he was happy to speak to the former student and that he was “deeply saddened” by the ordeal.
“Whilst this situation is regrettable, it is an issue of dress code for occasion and institution, not one of sexual discrimination,” Mr Maruff said in a statement to Guardian Australia.
“At no time, past or present, has Angus been discriminated against on grounds of sexuality in any way by Girton Grammar School.
“Angus was informed that his choice of attire was inappropriate for a guest of a member of the official party.
“Angus may have felt that he had no choice but to leave. His quick departure left no opportunity for an alternative outcome to be achieved.”
