The Texas Department of Agriculture has instructed its employees to dress "consistent with their biological gender," according to a memo issued on April 13. The memo, which was seen as a thinly veiled attack on transgender employees, has been widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, with one calling it "ambiguous" and another alleging that it violated federal law. It prescribes "Western business attire" for staff and includes a list of acceptable business casual items.
Men are expected to wear a long-sleeved dress shirt, tie, and sport coat with trousers and dress shoes or boots, while women are encouraged to wear tailored pantsuits, business-like dresses, or coordinated dressy separates, along with conservative, closed-toe shoes or boots. Women are banned from wearing clothing that shows "excessive cleavage" or skirts shorter than four inches above the knee, and certain footwear such as Crocs, slippers, and slides is prohibited.
Neon and fluorescent hair colors, lip and other facial piercings, and clothing that is "too tight or too revealing" are also prohibited. The memo comes amid a nationwide campaign to curb transgender rights, with Texas being one of the most aggressive states. It has already introduced several measures this year, including restricting drag performances, imposing new obstacles to gender-affirming care, and limiting teaching about gender and sexuality.
The department's supervisors have been granted "reasonable discretion" in enforcing the dress code, and those who refuse to comply could face dismissal.