VA sch appeals ruling that fired teacher be rehired, refused to change kids pron
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/virginia-school-appeals-ruling-that-reinstated-teacher-who-refused-to-change-students-biological-gender-pronouns/ar-AALVS94?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531Virginia school appeals ruling that reinstated teacher who refused to change students' biological gender pronouns
Jake Dima 17 hrs ago
A Virginia school board, which suspended a physical education teacher for refusing to address students by pronouns other than their biological gender, on Thursday appealed a ruling from a judge that reinstated him.
a man sitting on a table© Provided by Washington Examiner
The district is appealing the verdict that gave Byron “Tanner” Cross his job back to the state's Supreme Court, said a spokesman for Loudoun County Public Schools. The school system did not comment further, though the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian pro-free speech group representing Cross, maintained that the district's moves have been unconstitutional.
“Public schools have no right to suspend someone simply for respectfully providing their opinion at a public meeting,” said senior attorney Tyson Langhofer in a statement. “The school district wants to force Tanner to endorse its ideals and shut down any opposing views. That violates the Constitution and laws of Virginia, and so did the school’s move to place Tanner on leave.”
LOUDON COUNTY TO APPEAL REINSTATEMENT OF TEACHER WHO REFUSED TO CHANGE STUDENTS' BIOLOGICAL GENDER PRONOUNS
Cross, a physical education teacher at Leesburg Elementary School, said May 25 he would not “affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa” as would be required if the district adopts proposed Policy 8040.
The policy required that school district staff “allow gender-expansive or transgender students to use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence” and that staff “shall ... when using a name or pronoun to address the student, use the name and pronoun that correspond to their gender identity.”
Cross, who said the policy goes against his religious beliefs, was placed on suspension by the district before he sued executives in the beginning of June. Days after his legal challenge, Virginia Circuit Court Judge Jim Plowman granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate Cross until Dec. 31 or until the lawsuit is resolved. Cross was the subject of violations to his First Amendment liberties, his lawyers alleged.
In mid-June, the school indicated that it planned to appeal Plowman's determination due to "significant disruption" and outrage from parents.
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“Leesburg Elementary School and Loudoun County Public Schools experienced — and continue to experience — significant disruption since the May 25 School Board meeting during which Cross addressed the board,” the district wrote in a statement at the time. “Many students and parents at Leesburg Elementary have expressed fear, hurt and disappointment about coming to school. Addressing those concerns is paramount to the school division’s goal to provide a safe, welcoming and affirming learning environment for all students.“
Loudoun County Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
Tags: News, Transgender Issues, Transgender, LGBT, Schools, Education, Virginia, Public Schools, Teachers
Original Author: Jake Dima
Original Location: Virginia school appeals ruling that reinstated teacher who refused to change students' biological gender pronouns
