Father of 11-Year-Old Transgender Student in Massachusetts Files Discrimination Complaint After Alleged School Assault

On September 4, 2025, an 11-year-old transgender student at Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough, Massachusetts, was allegedly physically and verbally assaulted by another student, according to the child’s father, Brian Parmenter. Parmenter told local media that his child, who had faced years of bullying over their gender identity, was targeted in a school hallway. The assailant reportedly began by hurling transphobic slurs, then physically attacked the student, leaving them in tears and prompting an early dismissal from school.

“We were hoping this year, new school, hopefully a new crowd of people, and somehow the second week of school, this kid found my child and caught them in the hallway and openly sideswiped them and started assaulting them. Physically assaulting them and then verbally assaulting them until it sent my child home in tears,” Parmenter said. The father recounted that the attacker also said, “Well, you’re not good at being a boy, you shouldn’t be one ever”.

After the incident, Parmenter said he was told by the Marlborough Public Schools district that they could not discuss next steps or show him video evidence of the assault due to privacy concerns. The district released a statement affirming its commitment to an inclusive environment and its anti-bullying policies, but did not provide specific details about the incident or any disciplinary actions taken. According to Parmenter, the principal assured him that his child and the alleged perpetrator would not cross paths at school moving forward.

Parmenter also approached the Marlborough Police Department, but was informed that, under Massachusetts law, criminal charges could not be pursued because both students involved are only 11 years old. Frustrated by the lack of legal recourse and what he described as the school’s lack of transparency, Parmenter now plans to file a discrimination complaint with the state of Massachusetts.

The alleged assault has had a profound effect on the student, who previously enjoyed school but now struggles to attend, according to Parmenter. “My child used to love school and now they don’t even look forward to going. It’s a fight every day to get them to go. It’s a fight every morning to get them to get dressed to go to school because what do they have to look forward to? More being made fun of? More being assaulted? More of the school not doing anything?” he said. The family’s experience highlights the emotional toll that targeted bullying and violence can take on transgender youth and their families.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing national debate about the safety and rights of transgender students in schools. While Massachusetts has some of the nation’s strongest protections for transgender people—including explicit anti-discrimination laws in education—incidents like this underscore persistent challenges in enforcement and school climate. Advocates stress that inclusive policies must be paired with proactive measures to prevent bullying and ensure accountability when incidents occur.

Data from organizations such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center indicate that transgender and nonbinary youth are at significantly higher risk of experiencing assault and harassment than their cisgender peers, a reality that amplifies the urgency of effective protections and support systems in schools.

Local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have not yet issued public statements specific to this case, but similar incidents in Massachusetts—including a recent brutal attack on a 16-year-old transgender boy in Gloucester—have drawn widespread condemnation and calls for stronger action to protect transgender students. Advocates emphasize the importance of comprehensive anti-bullying policies, staff training, and visible support for transgender students to foster safer school environments.

With criminal charges off the table due to the students’ ages, Parmenter’s decision to pursue a discrimination complaint with the state reflects a growing trend among families seeking accountability through civil rights channels when criminal justice systems are unable to act. Such complaints can trigger investigations by state agencies and, if substantiated, may lead to corrective actions against schools or districts found to have failed in their duty to protect students.

The alleged assault of an 11-year-old transgender student in Marlborough, Massachusetts, has drawn attention to the ongoing risks faced by transgender youth in schools, even in states with strong legal protections. The family’s pursuit of a discrimination complaint underscores both the limits of current systems and the determination of affected families to seek justice. As this case develops, it will likely fuel further discussion about how schools, law enforcement, and communities can better safeguard the rights and well-being of transgender students.