Student and parent groups around the United States are beginning to realize that they can leverage the federal civil rights law Title IX to combat gender disparities in school dress codes.

When school dress codes allow boys to routinely display more skin and dress more comfortably than girls, then the school is discriminating on the basis of sex, which Title IX forbids. The same goes when boys want to wear skirts or longer hair. Many school districts have been forced to change their dress codes to comply with Title IX. The American Civil Liberties Union is always ready to get involved in cases like that.

But it’s definitely great to see students taking direct action by walking out. I wrote a story yesterday about students at a private Christian school walking out and protesting the firing of gay coaches.

In this case direct action is the only available remedy, because unlike other minority groups, LGBTQ people are exempt from civil rights protection in religious organizations.