Transgender student can use boys room

Lacey Township, N.J. (AP) — A transgender student in New Jersey who gave up his female identity says his school will allow him to use the boys room.

Rubin Smyers was using the unisex bathroom at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School's Performing Arts Academy.

The 16-year-old took to social media to protest and received support from Garden State Equality. The advocacy group wrote a letter to the school saying Smyers' rights were being violated.

Smyers tells the Asbury Park Press he wasn't as thrilled as he expected to be because the school gave him permission for something he already had the right to do.

Smyers came out as a boy in 2013 and began using the boys room until May when school officials told him to use the unisex bathroom.

Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press. Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – December 18, 2014 @ 9:15am