Again, I'm not sure he's pushing this as a freedom of speech issue, as much

as a freedom of religion one. If his religion (for some unexplainable reason to me) doesn't allow for him to address these kids by a "wrong" pronoun, then the school system must make reasonable accommodations for that. I wouldn't want to be the school system trying to argue that allowing him to use their birth, or ungendered pronoun isn't a reasonable accommodation, but I wouldn't want to be the guy standing up there admitting I can't be decent and kind to a kid in a way that doesn't affect me one bit either.

There was a similar case in New Kent County (I think it was New Kent) 2 or 3 yrs ago. I believe that guy was fired, but don't remember if he was later forced to be reinstated. Nor do I remember him arguing it was a freedom of religion issue, but he may have.

(In response to this post by BocaHoo91)

Posted: 11/16/2021 at 3:56PM

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Xi/xim/they/them/payer/payee -- Lupos 11/16/2021 2:11PM

The rude asshole should enjoy the same freedom of speech as the -- Shenhoo 11/16/2021 2:39PM

That's different. ** -- ResistHoo 11/16/2021 3:12PM

Thing is, the guy at ODU is one of your fine people, keep him. ** -- Lupos 11/16/2021 2:49PM

Why would you say something like that? ** -- 111Balz 11/16/2021 3:29PM

Neither of them are particularly mine. I find him about as -- Shenhoo 11/16/2021 2:59PM

Wow. freedom of speech is protected? Who knew? ** -- Beerman 11/16/2021 2:24PM

Is this really a "free speech" issue? Does a teacher have the right to -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 2:50PM

Spot on. ** -- Shenhoo 11/16/2021 3:00PM

His claim, more or less -- Beerman 11/16/2021 2:53PM

What if he went to the school board meeting as a private citizen and -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 2:55PM

For government employees, the law is nuanced -- WahooMatt05 11/16/2021 3:15PM

Maybe? But for state employees? Would be interested to hear from -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:21PM

I honestly don’t know -- WahooMatt05 11/16/2021 3:33PM

For me it's simpler than that. Free speech protections apply to laws -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:38PM

Again, I'm not sure he's pushing this as a freedom of speech issue, as much -- Hoodafan 11/16/2021 3:56PM

That's probably why they acquiesced, but to me, the claim that -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 4:17PM

Yeah, I clearly missed that lesson in Sunday School. ** -- Hoodafan 11/16/2021 4:55PM

For private employees, yes. For government employees, it’s more gray. ** -- WahooMatt05 11/16/2021 3:40PM

I recognize there is a line -- Beerman 11/16/2021 3:03PM

When it comes to "free speech" protected by the 2A, I'm not sure there -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:15PM

I mean, this is Virginia -- Beerman 11/16/2021 3:28PM

Not trying to be combative and I'm sure he could TRY to make it into a -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:36PM

Depends what your goal was -- Beerman 11/16/2021 3:40PM

Maybe we're arguing semantics, but I don't consider that -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:46PM

If there is not contract language covering conduct outside of the classroom -- 81_Hokie 11/16/2021 3:01PM

Perhaps because teachers are governed by an employment contract, but -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:11PM

I said twice that the contract is the guiding document. Of course there is -- 81_Hokie 11/16/2021 3:22PM

OK fair enough. It sounds like we're in agreement. -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:32PM

In VA teachers are "at will", although contractual employees. -- Hoodafan 11/16/2021 3:14PM

What part don't you understand? -- Beerman 11/16/2021 3:32PM

Interesting, although I wonder how much of the contract language then -- BocaHoo91 11/16/2021 3:20PM

It's not that hard to "fire" a teacher, but like many big organizations, -- Hoodafan 11/16/2021 3:46PM

Was it? The government fires a guy for speech, and he has to... -- Los Angeles Hoo 11/16/2021 2:31PM

That's part of what the courts are for -- Beerman 11/16/2021 2:41PM

LAHoo doesn't believe in courts particularly with election law. ** -- Seattle .Hoo 11/16/2021 6:36PM