The principal of Ramstein Intermediate School at Ramstein Air Force Base had planned on allowing an 11-year-old transgender fifth-grader named Blue to start using the girls restroom beginning the week of October 10.

But the superintendent of schools for the East Europe region of the Department of Defense Education Activity, Dr. Elizabeth Dunham overruled that decision "for reasons that remain unclear."

On Friday news of the decision became public via the Military Times.

This superintendent's decision to violate the civil rights of this transgender student is alarming.

--Ashley Broadway-Mack, American Military Partner Association

School officials had sent a letter to parents of children in the child’s class in late September outlining how they would support the child’s transition, then sent a follow-up email saying the student would begin using the girls' room, according to the report.

Students who are transgender currently attend DoDEA schools, just as they attend other school districts across the nation. It is the Department of Defense's position, consistent with the U.S. Attorney General's opinion, that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of sex discrimination.

--DoDEA spokesperson

The student's mother, Jess Girven, broke the story on Facebook.

In a telephone interview with Military.com, Girven said her child is the first openly transgender child at the school. Her child began the transition in August, she said. The following month, Girven said she was told the school would take appropriate measures to accommodate her.

Instead of being allowed to use the restroom which is right next to her classroom,

Blue was required to go down three flights of stairs, across the courtyard and into another building … or cut through the library. And we contacted the superintendent just to find out why.

--Girven

Girven contacted the Ramstein Inspector General's office, which told her they didn't have jurisdiction. Her husband went to his commander for advice. But the family quickly realized the decision rested with the activity.

We tried to go through the appropriate channels but, you know, the military and transgender is very, very new.

--Girven

The Department of Defense school system is currently observing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, yet this superintendent has unacceptably chosen to single out and discriminate against a student because of her gender identity.

--Broadway-Mack

The Department of Defense Education Activity in its statement noted that the departments of Education and Justice issued guidelines in May "to allow students who are transgender access to restroom facilities and other accommodations consistent with their gender identity." While the guidelines have been legally challenged, the department "is not precluded from following the guidelines and granting accommodations requested by parents and students,"

We are over the moon today to hear that transgender kids at DoD schools around the world get to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their gender identity!

--Girven

Girven said she and her family met on Friday with activity officials to offer insights on how to better work with kids who are transitioning and perhaps to ignite future policy change. She said this could open the door to additional community conversations with other parents and children at the school.

DoDEA has now decided that Blue will be allowed to use the girl's bathroom effective tomorrow.

Blue's been saying ever since she was three years old, 'I'm going to grow up to be a girl.' Just like kids say, 'When I grow up I'm going to be the president or a fireman. I'm going to be a girl.' And my child is so happy.

--Girven