Teacher Can Avoid Using Students' Pronouns Due to Religious Beliefs: Judge
newsweek.comappointed by former President Donald Trump, issued a preliminary injunction in the case of Pamela Ricard, a Kansas math teacher who sued USD 475 Geary County Schools over its policies that attempt to protect LGBT students, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal.
Ricard argued that the rules conflicted with her Christian beliefs.Ricard's issues began with two transgender students in her class, who, per the district's rules, did not allow faculty members to disclose their preferred names or pronouns to their families.
She argued that referring to students by different names in class and in communications with families went against her sincerely held religious beliefs."The Court relies on Plaintiff's statements that she does not intend to communicate with a parent for the sole purpose of disclosing a student's preferred name and pronouns," Teeter wrote in her ruling on Monday. "Plaintiff believes that addressing students one way at school and a different way when speaking to their parents is dishonest.
Being dishonest violates her sincere religious beliefs."The ruling, however, will not be in effect for very long. Teeter's injunction will remain in place through Wednesday, or until Ricard's contract term at Fort Riley Middle School ends, whichever comes last.
