The West Point School Board in Virginia has agreed to pay $575,000 to former teacher Peter Vlaming, who was terminated in 2018 for refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns. Vlaming, a French teacher, claimed his religious beliefs prevented him from complying with the school’s mandate, which required staff to use pronouns aligning with students' gender identities. Although Vlaming was willing to use the student’s chosen name, he avoided pronouns entirely to maintain his convictions.
The dispute centered on whether the school’s pronoun policy violated Vlaming’s constitutional rights. The teacher, with legal backing from the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), argued that his free speech and religious freedom were infringed upon. Vlaming was fired despite receiving prior warnings from school administrators, who asserted that his refusal to use the pronouns constituted discrimination and harassment under the school’s gender identity policies.
BREAKING: After an arduous lawsuit filed in 2018 by a Virginia school teacher who was fired over refusing to use a trans identified students preferred pronouns, the Virginia school board has agreed to pay the teacher over half a million dollars in a settlement. pic.twitter.com/5LXdC9PzTt
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) October 1, 2024
Vlaming sued the school board in 2019, and after a lengthy legal battle, his case was revived by the Virginia Supreme Court. The court highlighted that the right to free speech includes both the freedom to express opinions and the right to refrain from speaking. The justices ruled that Vlaming’s refusal to use specific pronouns could not be used as grounds for termination without compelling justification, sending the case back to a lower court.
The settlement, announced by ADF, not only awards Vlaming $575,000 in damages and legal fees but also clears his firing from his employment record. The school board additionally agreed to align its policies with Virginia’s new guidelines, which emphasize protecting free speech and parental rights in schools. The new guidelines require educators to inform parents about their child’s social transitions related to gender identity, reflecting a shift in Virginia’s approach to handling such cases.
🚨BREAKING: The West Point School Board in Virginia has agreed to pay $575K to former high school teacher Peter Vlaming, who said he was fired for not using a student's preferred pronouns. @ADFLegal attorneys first filed the lawsuit on Vlaming's behalf in 2019. pic.twitter.com/blahEoObER
— Crisis in the Classroom (@CITClassroom) October 1, 2024
In his statement, Vlaming expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that his firing was a result of a clash between his religious beliefs and the school’s imposed view on gender identity. He hopes this case sets a precedent, ensuring that other educators are not punished for exercising their constitutionally protected rights.
The case has drawn significant national attention, highlighting the ongoing cultural and legal battles surrounding gender identity in schools. Supporters of Vlaming argue that the school board's actions represented government overreach and an infringement on individual rights. On the other hand, proponents of the school’s decision argue that respecting students’ gender identities is a fundamental part of creating an inclusive environment.
This settlement marks a notable victory for religious freedom advocates and may influence future legal disputes regarding similar issues in educational settings. The ruling serves as a caution to school boards across the country, warning that forcing teachers to conform to policies that clash with their deeply held beliefs could result in costly legal battles.
The legal fight over transgender rights in schools remains a contentious issue, with Vlaming's case symbolizing the tension between religious freedom and anti-discrimination policies aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students. As legal battles over such issues continue to emerge, this case could set a precedent for how courts balance these competing rights.
