Virginia court: Teacher must be reinstated following suspension for opposing transgender policy
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A Circuit Court judge in Loudoun Virginia has ruled that local school administrators must reinstate a Christian teacher who was suspended after opposing a draft policy requiring educators to use transgender pronouns when addressing children who say they are the opposite sex.
Giving the court’s decision Friday, Judge James Plowman said the Leesburg elementary school had violated PE teacher Tanner Cross’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religion when they suspended him and barred from school properties two days after he said that, for religious reasons, he would not abide by the new policy.
During the hearing on Friday, the school said five families had complained about Cross’ stated objections, and had said they did not want him near their children, Loudoun Now reports. The school also argued there is a higher rate of suicide and mental health issues among transgender students whose identity is not affirmed.
Giving his ruling in the matter, Judge James Plowman wrote: “The Court finds that the Plaintiff’s speech and religious content are central to the determination made by the Defendants to suspend the Plaintiff’s employment.”
The ruling also noted that the school had gone beyond a normal suspension in barring Cross from all Loudoun County Public Schools properties, including the building in which the School Board meets, Loudoun Now said.
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