New Jersey middle school says transgender teen can't attend as a female

Over the summer, 13-year-old Middletown, N.J., native Rachel Pepe transitioned into her new female identity from her old life as Brian, ending the "stress-related seizures, depression, and panic attacks" that previously plagued her due to being identified as a male. But despite that change, as summer comes to a close and Pepe makes her way back to school, the Middletown School District has announced it refuses to recognize her transition or offer any accommodations come September.

Angela Peters, mother to young Rachel, says the Middletown School District recently informed her that because Rachel's birth certificate lists her name as Brian, it would not be able to identify the student as a female or use her post-transition name. Additionally, the school district reportedly has refused a request for the teen to use a private nurse's bathroom away from the school's public restrooms.

It is, however, illegal in New Jersey to discriminate against a person based upon their gender—an aspect that, coupled with the attention the incident is garnering, has Superintendent William O. George promising to look back into Pepe's case.

As per the Asbury Park Press:

Middletown Schools Superintendent William O. George said he was not aware of the controversy. While he is limited in what he can disclose about the situation because of state and federal confidentiality laws and regulations, George addressed the case in general terms.

"We as a district want to do everything we can as a district," George said. "Every child is different and their education and social and emotional well being is my priority. We will work with them to find the appropriate placement."

That emotional well-being for Pepe, of course, is what is at stake in Middletown School District's decision. Peters, who hopes her daughter will be able to attend a private school in the area, says that if her daughter is forced back into a male-based identity, "the depression will start again."

"This isn't a phase," Peters added in her interview. "She is not going to grow out of this."

Watch more on Rachel's story below:

[Asbury Park Press]