Christopher McCormack wins our prize for the most supportive dad ever.

The father of a gay man who was kicked out of an event at his former school for wearing an “inappropriate” suit has spoken of his decision to “stand for what I believe in”.

Christopher McCormack made a voluntary decision to resign as Director of the Board at Girton Grammar School at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo, Victoria, after his son was told to leave a Foundation Day service because he was dressed “innapropriately”.

Angus McCormack, a student at RMIT and who is known for his “bold fashion choices” returned to Bendigo to attend the Service with his father after he was asked to tone it down for the event.

“I decided to ‘tone down’ my appearance and be respectful to their wishes,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Therefore, I decided to wear minimal makeup, a single small earring, neat black leather pants, a white shirt with a black bow tie and black designer jacket. A suit by any definition of the word, although not in the typical commercial fabrics,” he wrote.

“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’.

“To avoid further embarrassment and a potentially ugly scene, I decided to graciously turn away and walk out. Although my father was a board member (at the time … he has since resigned!) had duties to perform at the service, he was so disgraced by my refusal of entry that he departed with me to support me in my rejection.”

A man says Girton Grammar School rejected him. Picture: Google MapsSource:Supplied

After the event, Christopher wrote to the school “asking for an explanation to what exactly it was about Angus’ choice of clothing that was inappropriate and why he was singled out”, he explained to news.com.au.

“That answer has still not been forthcoming, but I became aware that I could no longer participate in a governing body of the School that clearly does not demonstrate the values of inclusivity, diversity and tolerance it promotes.

“My priority is my son and the support that I have for him and in that respect the choice was not difficult. I don’t think that is extraordinary by any means.”

Is Angus McCormack’s suit inappropriate?Source:Facebook

Girton Grammar School headmaster Matthew Maruff told the Herald Sun he supported the decision to ban Mr McCormack from the event, saying it had a strict dress code and the young man didn’t meet it.

“These are our standards and I am not going to apologise for that,” he said.

“It’s not about self expression — he got it wrong on the night.”

Mr Maruff told the Herald Sun suggestions Mr McCormack was discriminated against because of his sexuality was “rubbish”.

But Christopher disagrees, believing “Girton is clutching to something that some of their leadership group believe in”.

“[Author and philosopher] Edmund Burke is quoted as saying ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ I don’t wish to be a father who does nothing. I believe it is my responsibility to stand for what I believe in, just as it appears Girton is clutching to something that some of their leadership group believe in…. it just happens to be vastly different!

“I have a strong relationship with both my children and I want to provide them with the best possible education for life… not just their academic education, but also their understanding, acceptance and appreciation of others expression and individuality.

We have tried to teach them respect and integrity in how they conduct themselves in public, but that does not mean stifling their individuality or compromising who they are.”

Girton Grammar School headmaster Matthew Maruff.Source:Supplied

Meanwhile, Angus says he had also not been contacted by the school and nobody had apologised or acknowledged what happened.

“Despite trying to remain my bubbly and confident self, this is eating away at the core of who I am, not to mention the utter sense of despair I have suffered in being turned away by the school with which I was once so proud to be associated with.”

He is now taking things further and wants to fight for people who don’t have a voice.

“It’s 2016! This kind of discrimination against any person regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation or beliefs is just utterly appalling,” he said.

“Funnily enough, the school seems to believe that this issue will disappear and not affect their reputation or enrolments.”

His post has now been shared more than 10,000 times and a number of people have jumped to his defence.

Share your story - olivia.lambert@news.com.au

Read Christopher’s full statement to news.com.au below

• Girton Grammar School Bendigo Foundation Day Service Friday 6 May at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo

• Angus was invited as guest of his father, Christopher who was a member of the Board at the time

• Christopher advised the School of Angus’ intended attendance to which he received the following advice: “I respectfully ask that Angus is dressed in a suit as is expected of our teaching staff and members of the Board.”

• There was no other specified code of dress neither on the invitation nor in the response provided from the School.

• Angus is an openly gay 20 year old RMIT Fashion Design student, a former School Captain at Girton and not a current student, teacher or Board member of the School.

• Angus chose to wear a clean, stylish pair of black leather pants, a white button-up shirt with a black bow tie and a black designer jacket (see photo)

• His attire was not considered offensive, extravagant or attention seeking until confronted by the Deputy Head in the foyer of the Church

• Without any acknowledgement or welcome she bluntly refused his entry, blocking his path and advising him “he would have to leave as he was inappropriately dressed”…

• Angus turned quietly, informed his father and graciously left the building.

• Christopher was so shocked by the School’s blatant rejection that he too turned and left with Angus.

• This is not an attempt at attention seeking or sensationalising of a situation through a distortion of the facts.

• We have not been seeking compensation or retribution.

• We simply would like an explanation of what it was exactly that was ‘inappropriate’ about Angus’ choice of clothing that night?.... how did it not fit the definition of ‘suit’?, which was the only specification of dress provided after Christopher notified the School that Angus was coming.

• We expect an apology from the School and an acknowledgement that this treatment is unacceptable and inconsistent with the values that the School promotes.

• We want to see a specific set of actions put in place to ensure this does not happen to anyone else either in the School or associated with the School in any way.

• Angus is a respectful, honest and influential former leader in the School who has been a great ambassador for the school.

• His choice of clothing reflected these qualities.

Christopher’s decision to leave the Board

• I made a voluntary decision to resign as Director of the GGS Board after writing to the School asking for an explanation as to what exactly it was about Angus’ choice of clothing that was inappropriate and why he was singled out. That answer has still not been forthcoming, but I became aware that I could no longer participate in a governing body of the School that clearly does not demonstrate the values of inclusivity, diversity and tolerance it promotes. My priority is my son and the support that I have for him and in that respect the choice was not difficult. I don’t think that is extraordinary by any means.

• The consequences mean that I am now distanced from the Board and have no further involvement in the governance role of the School. I still have a child in the school and it is important that I attempt to protect him and ensure that he is not subject to adverse exposure or publicity as a result of what happened.

• I have a strong relationship with both my children and I want to provide them with the best possible education for life… not just their academic education, but also their understanding, acceptance and appreciation of others expression and individuality. We have tried to teach them respect and integrity in how they conduct themselves in public, but that does not mean stifling their individuality or compromising who they are.

• Edmund Burke is quoted as saying ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ I don’t wish to be a father who does nothing. I believe it is my responsibility to stand for what I believe in, just as it appears Girton is clutching to something that some of their leadership group believe in…. it just happens to be vastly different!