Transgender Pronoun Showdown Ends with Christian Teacher’s $450K

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Last month, an Ohio school district agreed to pay a $450,000 settlement to a middle school teacher who resigned after refusing to use two transgender students’ preferred names and pronouns. The teacher, Vivian Geraghty, claimed her religious beliefs were violated and argued that being forced to comply infringed her First Amendment rights.

Deadnamed Dispute

The controversy started on the first day of school in August 2022. Two of Geraghty’s students requested that she use names that aligned with their gender identity, differing from their given names on the official school roster.

Geraghty, citing her Christian faith, declined the request and continued using their “deadnames,” a term referring to the names assigned at birth that do not align with the individuals’ stated gender identities.

One student later emailed Geraghty, reiterating the request, but the teacher again refused. The student eventually reached out to a school counselor, citing discomfort with the repeated use of their “deadname” in class.

This prompted discussions between Geraghty and school administrators, where the issue quickly escalated.

Recounts of the Resignation

According to Geraghty, the school administration gave her an ultimatum: Comply with the students’ requests or resign. During a series of meetings with her principal, Kacy Carter, and other district officials, Geraghty stood firm in her position.

She reportedly said:

“I wouldn’t be comfortable using preferred names or pronouns because I would know what was behind it.”

The accounts of these meetings differ.

Geraghty stated that she was effectively forced to resign, with the principal allegedly saying:

“If that is your final decision, then we need a letter of resignation effective today.”

The school district gave a conflicting account, claiming that Geraghty voluntarily chose to resign after reiterating her refusal to comply.

Linguistics and Legalities

Geraghty’s case was taken up by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal organization known for defending religious liberty cases. In a lawsuit filed in 2022, the ADF argued that the school’s actions violated Geraghty’s constitutional rights.

Logan Spena, legal counsel for ADF, said:

“The school tried to force Vivian to accept and repeat the school’s viewpoint on issues that go to the foundation of morality and human identity, like what makes us male or female, by ordering her to personally participate in the social transition of her students.”

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ruled in Geraghty’s favor, stating that the school’s pronoun practice amounted to “compelled speech” and was not neutral.

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The ruling paved the way for the $450,000 settlement reached in December.

Repercussions and Reflections

The Jackson Local School District maintained that it does not have a policy requiring teachers to use students’ preferred names or pronouns. Instead, it pointed to Title IX guidelines from the Department of Education, which prohibit discrimination based on sexual characteristics.

In a statement, the district said it remains:

“dedicated to navigating complex and changing legal environments in a manner that prioritizes student safety and well-being.”

For Geraghty, the settlement represents vindication, Spena said:

“Vivian resisted this unconstitutional demand and explained that her Christian faith made her unable to participate in her students’ social transition, and she has received just vindication for taking this stand.”

Geraghty’s case is a testament to the high stakes of upholding individual rights and religious convictions within public institutions.