Kansas Teacher Launches Lawsuit Over Pronoun Reprimand

First our hot take . . .

Because, in the real world, it's important to be courteous and respectful more than than anything else: Let's start out that MOST people don't mind calling a person by whatever name they choose . . .

TKC only has one pet peeve . . . Using THEY/THEM to describe a person is simply asking somebody to degrade their language.

THEY/THEM is plural and using those pronouns to describe a singular is, technically, incorrect. 

Of course, if somebody is going to break down over it . . . I guess I'd do it. To be fair, given all the typos on this blog . . . It's not really like we're a stickler for grammar.

Accordingly . . .

This important story offers a glimpse of the arduous requirements that now confront teachers AND offers a sign of push back . . .  

“Prior to addressing the student by the student’s last name, THE TEACHER had been informed by email by the school counselor (that) the student preferred to be called by an alternate first name different from the student’s legal and enrolled first name,” the lawsuit reads. “Although the school counselor, when notifying THE TEACHER of the student’s new preferred first name in his email had referred to the student as ‘she’ (consistent with the student’s biological sex), THE TEACHER was later told by the student’s classmate that the student’s preferred pronouns were ‘he/him.'”

This is in spite of the fact, the lawsuit contends, that the student in question never directly asked THE TEACHER to use a different name or pronoun — nor did the school have a formal written policy on pronouns or names at the time.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Kansas teacher suspended over preferred pronouns sues district - The Sentinel

A long-time teacher in Fort Riley is suing her district after being reprimanded and suspended for refusing to use a student's "preferred pronouns." According to the filed by Pamela Ricard earlier this week, during the spring semester of 2021, USD 475 in Geary County middle school administrators issued "diversity and equity" training materials directing instructors to use "preferred names" instead of the student's legal name or name of record.