BTL Staff
NEW JERSEY – The school that previously stated that Rachel Pepe could not attend unless she presented as a boy, has retracted their statement and changed their position.
On the evening of Aug. 18 Rachel Pepe received news that Middletown, New Jersey's Thorne Middle School will allow her to attend school as a girl.
Garden State Equality (GSE) announced in a blog that it had been working with Pepe's school to ensure that administrators and staff are able to provide a safe, welcoming educational environment. And after speaking with the school's Superintendent and the GSE Executive Director, it was announced that the administration has agreed to work with the LGBT rights organization in effort to make their schools welcoming.
"We applaud Superintendent George for taking the right steps to affirm the health and safety of students," Andrea Bowen, GSE executive director said in a statement. "This is a victory for transgender students everywhere. This Middletown student and students like her are heroes for standing up for their needs. We're excited that the community came together in dialogue to bring this situation to a happy resolution."
