Ohio professor awarded $400K after refusing to use a trans student’s preferred pronouns
A university has agreed to pay a philosophy professor $400,000 after disciplining him for refusing to use a trans student’s preferred pronouns.
Shawnee State University professor Nicholas Meriwether was punished in 2018 after refusing to adhere to academic policy. The academic guidelines required the use of pronouns, including preferred pronouns, that match a student’s gender identity, which was first introduced in 2016, according to CNN.
Meriwether, who is of Christian faith, challenged the policy as he believed the academic guidelines went against his religious beliefs.
The professor refused to use the preferred pronouns of a trans student who requested to be referred to as a woman. Meriwether had offered to use the surname of the student but reportedly used the incorrect gendered title.
