Rhode Island lawmakers show solidarity with Missouri counterparts over dress code
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A newly-elected Rhode Island lawmaker is standing in solidarity with female legislators in Missouri, in the wake a controversial dress code requirement adopted.
"I just thought it was ridiculous, quite frankly," said State Rep. Jennifer Boylan, who's in her first term representing parts of Barrington and East Providence. "I think if you've gotten yourself elected and you're a lawmaker, you should be able to use your best judgment on what's appropriate for work."
Earlier this month, Missouri's House of Representatives passed a new rules package, which includes an updated dress code for house members. It now requires female legislators and staff members to wear a jacket on the floor, like a cardigan or a blazer.
It was proposed to "clean up" dress code language in the house's rules and make it line with the Missouri House's requirements for men. Men are required to wear a jacket, shirt and tie while on the floor.
"I can't believe [Missouri lawmakers] devoted time out of their legislative session to something as trivial as this," Boylan expressed. "I think it's controlling and it assumes lawmakers aren't mature enough to know what is appropriate to wear in their chamber as business attire."
On Friday, Boylan was the central organizer of a now-viral social media photo depicting female Ocean State representatives with exposed arms. Boyland told NBC 10 News the photo was inspired by a similar picture she saw from Vermont democrats and was done in solidarity with her Missouri counterparts.
"Women, and men, who are lawmakers should be trusted to know what professional attire looks like," Boylan said.
Rhode Island's legislative session is underway, and Boylan says the House is in the process of adopting chamber rules.
She's not worried about a rule like Missouri's making its way here, and even researched the previous session's dress code rule to show off its simplicity.
"It says, 'No person on the floor of the chamber shall dress in a manner offensive to the decorum of the House,' which simply means dress professionally!" she said. "We're not going to get bogged down by hemlines and sleeveless for sleeves."
Outside of brief interactions on social media, Boylan says she's not had the opportunity to speak directly with legislators from Missouri. When asked if she'd like to see more gestures like the photo, she said, "I would like to see petty, trivial rules like this disappear into the night."