The Florida State Education Department's anti-LGBTQ pronouns law led to a new lawsuit. This was announced on Wednesday, Dec. 13, after the Southern Poverty Law Center represented two trans women and one nonbinary teacher in their legal action.
The nonbinary teacher was said to be fired after using the gender-neutral honorific "Mx." This happened because of the state's law called Parental Rights in Education Act. Since this legislation prevents Florida's residents from using pronouns and titles consistent with their gender identities, critics dub it the "Don't Say Gay" law.
Florida State Education Dept's Anti-LGBTQ Pronouns Law Leads to Lawsuit
LGBTQ rights supporters protest against Florida Governor Ron Desantis outside a "Don't Tread on Florida" tour campaign event with Florida governor Ron DeSantis at the Alico Arena ahead of the midterm elections, November 6, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida.
In their lawsuit, the three Florida teachers argued that the state education dept. is discriminating against LGBTQ members via the Parental Rights in Education Act.
They explained that the legislation discriminates against teachers based on their sexuality. Aside from this, the law is also being accused of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as reported by UPI.
According to Yahoo News' latest report, the anti-pronouns law also breaches Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
The Florida Virtual School, which fired AV Schwandes, the nonbinary teacher using the "Mx." title, defended their decision to terminate the educator.
"As a Florida public school, FLVS is obligated to follow Florida laws and regulations pertaining to public education," said the Florida Virtual School.
"This includes laws ... pertaining to the use of personal titles and pronouns within Florida's public school system," added the school's officials.
About Florida's Anti-Pronouns Law
People wait for the start of a memorial service for the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre on June 19, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Thousands of people are expected at the evening event which will feature entertainers, speakers and a candle vigil at sunset.
Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which became active in 2022, states that classroom instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation is restricted.
The law bans this from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Aside from this, the legislation also restricts health education to 6th to 12th grade levels.
But, the main reason why many people, especially LGBTQ members, criticize it, is that it bans teachers and students from using their preferred pronouns and titles that don't represent their birth sex.
"I lost my job, and maybe my career, because Florida lawmakers don't want maturing young adults to know that I exist," said AV Schwandes.
The nonbinary teacher added that teachers who are members of the LGBTQ community shouldn't be forced to pretend to be someone they are not.
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