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NEW YORK - A 17-year-old male living in foster care may dress as a woman, a state court ruled.



Supreme Court Judge Louise Gans ruled Thursday the city had violated the teen's rights when the Atlantic Transitional Foster Facility, a city-run home, prohibited him from wearing dresses and skirts.


The teen, whose name was withheld because of his age, identifies himself as a female. He has been diagnosed with a gender identity disorder and is considered legally disabled.


Representatives of the foster-care facility had argued the teen wore sexually provocative women's clothing in an all-male home.


A spokeswoman for the Administration for Children's Services told The New York Times it had not yet received the decision but had moved the youth to a home where he can wear what he wants.