The global landscape has undeniably transformed over the past few years. While some individuals view these changes as advancements, others perceive them as a significant regression.
Pamela Richard, a teacher from Kansas, demonstrated courage by standing up for her beliefs even though she faced the risk of suspension. While employed at Geary County Schools in Kansas, she was suspended for three days due to her refusal to use a preferred pronoun for a student.
Richard explains the scenario in basic language, stating that she was suspended due to “referring to a biologically female student by the student’s legal and registered surname.”
Before this, a school counselor had informed her that one of the students wished to go by a first name different from their legal name and also preferred to be addressed by a different gender. This student was assigned female at birth.
To prevent the use of the student’s chosen name, she opted to address her as “Miss [legal/enrolled last name].” Richard believed this was a reasonable compromise; however, it ultimately proved ineffective.
In the end, the teacher was suspended because of the directive for “employees to be conscious and actively use the pronouns that an individual requests to be identified by.”
The lawsuit that ensued was due to the policy infringing on her personal beliefs.
The lawsuit stated that Ms. Ricard is a Christian who holds genuine religious beliefs in line with the traditional Christian and biblical view of the human person and biological sex. She believes that God created human beings as either male or female, and that this sex is unchangeable from the moment of conception, regardless of an individual’s feelings, desires, or preferences.
In May, the teacher successfully obtained a $95,000 award in federal court. The attorney stated that she could freely communicate with parents in a way that aligns with her obligations to address students at school, without compromising her beliefs.
The policy prohibited staff members from revealing students’ preferred names or pronouns to their parents, and allowed the avoidance of pronouns for students whose gender identity did not align with their biological sex. The court ultimately ruled against this policy.
The school has not issued any statements following the lawsuit.
