Transgender teenager sues school over discrimination

A transgender teenager is taking legal action against his former school in the West Midlands region of England for refusing to let him wear a boy's uniform.

The 16-year-old, who is known by his assumed name of Aidan, was born female and attended Hereford Cathedral School in Herefordshire.

He has accused staff at the school of not taking him seriously, after they reportedly told him his wish to be male was a "phase" and that he was "attention seeking".

"They didn't really take it seriously," he said.

Under the UK's 2010 Equality Act, it is unlawful for a school to treat pupils less favourably because of gender reassignment.

"They made my child out to be a freak and someone who would contaminate other students," Aidan's mother told BBC. In a letter to school's chair of governors, Aidan's mother Jackie said she had no choice but to remove her son after she was told, "inadequately prepared to accommodate Aidan's needs and give him high-level of support and pastoral care that he deserves."