Teacher Sues Middle School After Refusing To Use Students’ Pronouns, Claims Freedom To Practice Religion Was Violated
Photo Credit: NY Post
A former English teacher in Ohio claims her religious beliefs were infringed and she was forced to leave her job after refusing to address students by their preferred pronouns, NY Post reported.
Vivian Geraghty, 24, is suing the Jackson Memorial Middle School in Massillon, Ohio, the Board of Education, and two school district employees, alleging
“free speech retaliation and violations against her right to practice her Christian religion,”
reports reveal. According to the lawsuit, Geraghty stepped down from her position on Aug. 26 after being told by administrators that she had to comply with the school’s protocol which accepts students’
“social transition.”
Geraghty said she was approached by two of her students who asked if she could refer to them by their names that align
“with their new gender identities rather than their legal names.”
Geraghty said that she went to the principal
“in the hope of reaching a solution that would allow her to continue teaching without violating her religious beliefs and constitutional rights”
and said she refused to use the student’s preferred pronouns.
She was later asked into another meeting with the principal and another school district employee, who explained that
“she would be required to put her beliefs aside as a public servant.”
Geraghty, standing firm on her beliefs, said she was then told by the school district employee that she had to quit if she did not agree with the school’s policy. She said she was handed a laptop and instructed to draft a resignation letter for immediate submission, which she did, according to the court filing.
“While some may say this is forcing my beliefs on others, I say this is standing up for the mission that every teacher should fight for,”
Geraghty wrote. Geraghty’s lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
