Transgender high school student says ‘he will be unable to attend the graduation ceremony simply because of the principals personal feeling’s against referring to trans people by their names’

The transgender student wrote on his social media account that he will be unable to attend graduation simply because of the principals personal feeling’s against referring to transgender people by their names. The high school student claims that the principal refuses to call him by his name because of his own personal biases. The student’s parents have been trying to work something out with the school district, so he can walk on stage with his friends. The transgender student also said that the disagreement with the school administrators has consumed his last weeks of school. 

The high school student from Indiana, Bradley Curry, told the Advocate that he will graduate in about 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the 18-year-old transmasculine student is considering skipping the graduation ceremony to protect his dignity.

Bradley reportedly said that his parents have been trying to work something out with the school district, so he can walk on stage with his friends. The transgender student also said that the disagreement with BHS administrators has consumed his last weeks of school. 

According to Bradley, principal Mike Whitten reportedly said that he will call the student’s dead-name and not their chosen name at the ceremony.

Bradley Curry wrote on his social media account: 

“It’s funny how BHS claims to care so much about their students, but when it comes to a transgender student then there is suddenly a problem. I have been out since I was 12 years old and have been going by Bradley since then. All of my Teachers and classmates call my Bradley.

I am now a senior and will be graduating in about 2 weeks. It seems as though sadly I will be unable to attend Graduation simply because of the principals personal feeling’s against referring to trans people by their names. My parents and I have been fighting mercilessly with phone calls, emails, trying to work something out so I can walk on stage with my friends.

However, this will not be the case because even after parents permission, the principal still refuses to call me Bradley because of his own personal biases. I was always under the impression that the teachers and staff are supposed to make sure every student there has a safe learning environment and feel comfortable coming to school.

I want everyone to keep in mind that there is no school board policy saying that he has to call a transgender student by their dead name while walking across the stage to receive their diploma.”

According to the Advocate, the student’s dad, Jeremy, reportedly said that all his family is asking is for Bradley to be announced by his name when walking across the stage.  

The father also said that he reportedly had a conversation with Dr. Lambert, the WCSC superintendent. 

Jeremy Curry reportedly told the Advocate: “He said they were currently working on a policy that would address this issue, and the plan was to implement it next year. I told him that [them] working on it was good, but my main concern is this year.

Lambert stated that he is having a meeting with all the principals on Monday and will be discussing the situation. He will then let me know the outcome. I await hearing the outcome of his meeting, but graduation is fast approaching.”

The student’s dad also said that he is considering other avenues of recourse, including legal action, if the decision does not come back in Bradley’s favor.