AV Vary, a Florida-based physics teacher with 15 years of experience, was recently terminated from Florida Virtual School. The reason: opting to use a gender-neutral title in alignment with their non-binary identity. Vary’s choice to go by “Mx.” instead of traditional titles like “Mrs.” or “Ms.” was met with resistance by the school administration, leading to their dismissal.
Conflict with State’s Parental Rights in Education Act
The school cited the expansion of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as the basis for the action. This controversial bill prohibits teachers and students from using personal titles and pronouns that do not match their sex assigned at birth. The enforcement of this statute has led to a crackdown across Florida school districts on the use of gender-neutral pronouns and even nicknames.
Seeking Compromise and the Resulting Consequences
Vary’s attempts to find a middle ground by suggesting other gender-neutral titles were also rejected. Despite a severe teacher shortage in the state, as reported by Fox News Tampa Bay, the decision was made to fire Vary. This has led to their students being distributed among already full classes, exacerbating the teaching crisis in Florida.
Impact of Governor DeSantis’s Policies on Education
The restrictive education policies under Governor Ron DeSantis, including the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, have been linked by the Florida Education Association (FEA) to the rising number of school vacancies. FEA President Andrew Spar criticized these policies, suggesting they discourage educators and are politically motivated.
Legal Challenge and Advocacy for Rights
Following their termination, Vary has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, potentially setting the stage for a legal challenge against the law’s expansion. Vary, in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, emphasized their commitment to standing up for marginalized individuals, underscoring that their focus in the classroom was on teaching physics, not their gender identity. This case highlights the ongoing tension between LGBTQ+ rights and state educational policies, particularly in Florida.