There's no reference to gender in the Suffolk school district's new uniform dress code.

Media outlets report that the dress code approved Thursday by the Suffolk School Board bans skimpy attire, sagging pants and clothing that references alcohol, drugs or gangs.

But the board dropped a proposal to ban cross-gender clothing that causes a disruption or poses a health or safety concern. The new dress code applies this prohibition to any clothing and doesn't mention gender.

Civil liberties groups said the proposed cross-dressing ban was too vague and students have a right to express themselves. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia threatened to file a lawsuit if the ban was adopted.