A GRADUATING TRANSGENDER STUDENT AT ALBUQUERQUE'S ST. PIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL SAYS HE'D RATHER SIT OUT THE CEREMONY. THAT'S AFTER SCHOOL OFFICIALS DENIED DAMIEN GARCIA'S REQUEST TO WEAR THE BLACK ROBE MALE GRADUATES WEAR, INSTEAD OF THE WHITE ROBE WORN BY GIRLS. DAMIEN WAS BORN FEMALE, BUT IDENTIFIES AS MALE … AND LEGALLY CHANGED HIS NAME LAST YEAR FROM BRANDI TO DAMIEN.
ST. PIUS OFFICIALS SAY IF THERE'S ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHAT GENDER-COLOR WILL BE WORN AT GRADUATION, IT'S DETERMINED BY WHAT GENDER IS STATED ON A STUDENT'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
GARCIA'S FAMILY CALLS THE SCHOOL'S DECISION HEARTBREAKING.
