Kansas teacher Pamela Ricard gained attention when she sued Geary County Schools after receiving a three-day suspension for not using a student’s preferred pronouns. Ricard, teaching at Fort Riley Middle School, chose to address a biologically female student by her legal last name instead of the student’s preferred first name and pronouns due to her religious beliefs.
Despite no specific policy in place, Ricard faced suspension under broad district policies related to staff bullying. After her return, a new policy mandating teachers to use requested pronouns was implemented. Ricard’s lawsuit, rooted in her Christian beliefs on human biology and gender, led to a $95,000 settlement. The court also struck down a provision prohibiting staff from disclosing students’ preferred names and pronouns to parents.
This case highlights the challenge of balancing students’ preferences with educators’ religious beliefs, raising questions about gender identity and religious freedom in schools. The school district declined to comment, leaving policy implications uncertain.
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