Would you be upset if there was a little boy at your child’s after-school care was dressed like a girl?
It’s hard to imagine that in 2014 a child could be excluded from playing with other children because of the way he’s dressed.
But that’s exactly what happened to little Romeo Clarke, who was told to no longer attend his primary school’s after-school care because he was “confusing” the other children by dressing in “girls” princess costumes, tutus and shoes.
Five-year-old Romeo has three older sisters and a collection of more than 100 costumes that he likes to wear after school. Once a week, on a Wednesday, he goes to the after-school club near his Catholic Primary in Rugby, England.
But now his mum, Georgina, 36, says she was told that Romeo was only welcome to keep coming back if he changed the way he dressed.
“I was shocked and surprised," Georgina told the The Daily Mirror. "The leader, who is a really lovely lady, said she didn’t think it was appropriate he wore the dress. She said it was upsetting and confusing the other children.
“She took to me to one side after I dropped him off and said ‘Romeo will be welcome back when he wears clothes which match his gender'."
“I asked three other parents if Romeo wearing the dress concerned them or their children in any way and they all said no."
Georgina says Romeo has always like "sparkly" things since he was a little boy, and that he's happy to wear his dress and heels to the supermarket, and out playing with other kids.
Bex Venables, the Minister in Training at the Rugby Christian Fellowship which runs the Children's Club, defended the decision.
“Georgina’s son is still allowed to attend Buzz Children’s Club but has been asked to wear clothing of the gender stated on his registration form, which states male."
“This request is no different from what is asked by his school, where he wears a boy's uniform."
What do you think? Does an organisation like a kids' club have a right to restrict what kids do and don't wear?