Teachers Fight Back Against Pronoun Mandates, Winning Free Speech Lawsuits
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) continues to secure legal victories for teachers facing disciplinary actions for refusing to use students’ preferred pronouns, citing First Amendment violations. Attorney Logan Spena reports that a growing number of educators are seeking legal support as schools impose policies that conflict with personal beliefs.
“A Lot of Teachers Are Coming to Us,” Says ADF Attorney
Spena, a legal counsel for ADF, told that more teachers are reaching out for assistance.
“Too many school districts have adopted policies that compel teachers to affirm things that aren’t true,” Spena stated. “That’s a violation of their First Amendment rights. Thankfully, we’ve had success representing teachers, which is encouraging more educators to contact us.”
ADF recently settled a federal lawsuit against Jackson Local School District (JLSD) in Ohio, marking another win for teacher free speech cases.
Ohio Teacher Wins $450K in Free Speech Case
Vivian Geraghty, a former middle school English teacher in Ohio, was awarded $450,000 in damages and legal fees after suing JLSD for violating her constitutional rights. Geraghty was forced to resign after refusing to participate in the “social transition” of students whose gender identities differed from their biological sex.
ADF claims the school district pushed for her resignation because she objected to following a policy that conflicted with her religious beliefs.
“This settlement sends a strong message: if schools fail to respect teachers’ constitutional rights, there will be consequences,” Spena said.
Despite the financial settlement, JLSD has not changed its policy. Spena noted that ADF is currently handling a similar case in Indiana, which is now in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
ADF’s Legal Wins Strengthen Precedents for Teachers’ Rights
ADF has a strong track record of securing victories in cases involving teacher free speech and religious freedom.
- In Virginia, the organization recently won a case against Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS), securing religious accommodations for three teachers and striking down a policy that required employees to use students’ preferred pronouns.
- Peter Vlaming, a former high school teacher in Virginia, was awarded $575,000 in damages and attorney fees after refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns. His case, which reached the Virginia Supreme Court, has been described by ADF as having “seismic implications” for teachers’ rights.
Legal Precedents and Broader Implications
According to Spena, the Vlaming case, while based on Virginia’s Constitution, has influenced legal battles in other states.
“This case strongly protects teachers in Virginia, but it also serves as persuasive authority for courts across the country,” he explained.
Despite legal pushback, many school districts continue to enforce pronoun policies, raising concerns over compelled speech and religious freedom.
What’s Next for Teachers Facing Pronoun Mandates?
As more educators seek legal recourse, ADF remains committed to defending teachers who believe these policies infringe on their rights.
While JLSD officials have not commented directly on the case, Board of Education President Tonya Wright issued a statement affirming the district’s stance:
“The Jackson Local School District is committed to cultivating a learning environment where every student feels supported, valued, and safe.”
With ongoing lawsuits and mounting legal wins, the battle over pronoun policies in schools is far from over.
Source: FOX News
