A U.S. appeals court in Chicago has ruled that an Indiana high school did not violate any laws by forcing a music teacher to quit after he refused on religious grounds to use transgender students’ preferred names. The case revolves around John Kluge, who said his Christian religious beliefs barred him from complying with a school policy requiring faculty to use students’ preferred names and pronouns.
The school initially allowed Kluge to call students by their last names but reneged after receiving complaints from students and faculty, according to court filings. In 2018, Kluge was told he would be fired if he didn’t comply with the policy, and he resigned. Kluge sued the school district in 2019, accusing it of violating a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on religion.
The court, however, ruled that the rights of the teacher to exercise his religious beliefs were outweighed by the potential disruption that his conduct could have on the learning environment at Brownsburg High School in the Indianapolis suburbs. The 7th Circuit on Friday disagreed with Kluge’s argument that allowing him to call students by their last names would not create a burden for the school.
Circuit Judge Ilana Rovner wrote for the court, “Kluge’s last-names-only practice stigmatized the transgender students and caused them demonstrable emotional harm.” In a dissenting opinion, Circuit Judge Michael Brennan said it was unclear whether the school could have mitigated any disruptions resulting from Kluge’s conduct, and that a jury should decide whether his rights were violated.
The case has once again highlighted the tension between religious freedom and the rights of transgender students, with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group representing Kluge, stating that the 7th Circuit’s ruling shows why the Supreme Court needs to fix the standard for accommodating religious employees. Lawyers for the school did not respond to a request for comment.
The case also underscores the need for schools to establish clear policies and guidelines on how to address issues related to transgender students. Advocates for transgender rights say that such policies not only ensure that transgender students are respected and treated equally but also promote an inclusive and welcoming school environment.