Non-Binary Teacher in Florida Fired
A veteran teacher in Florida, who has dedicated fifteen years of their life to teaching, has been fired by a Floridian school for using a gender-neutral title in class instead of Mrs or Ms. The non-binary teacher came out as such last year and was told by the school that gender-neutral titles violate the state of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, more commonly known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.
AV Vary told WMNF news station in Florida that when they initially had a conversation with their Principal about their decision to use gender-neutral pronouns at work, they received no pushback. It wasn’t until a month later that they were notified that the change was going to be a problem.
Vary suggested a variety of gender-neutral titles but was told outright that none of them would work. Employees are expected to use formal, gendered pronouns indicated either male or female.
“I was told that professor was not okay, Dr. was not okay for me because I didn’t have a Ph.D., but there are lots of people at Florida Virtual School who do use Dr., which, coincidentally, is also in violation of the same law I got disciplined for,” said Vary.
Standing their ground, Vary refused to accept that they must adhere to the gendered way of things and use the Ms title, instead accepting termination instead.
The controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill currently prohibits teachers and students from sharing preferred personal titles and pronouns that deviate from their names and sex assigned at birth.
Florida is currently experiencing an incredibly dire teacher shortage. According to the Merrimack College Teacher Survey, one-third of K-12 teachers in Florida are planning to quit within the next two years, citing poor pay, safety concerns, and the introduction of anti-LGBTQ legislation into the state.
Teachers can be fired and lose their teaching licenses unless they comply with the state’s harsh anti-LGBTQ laws now governing how teachers conduct themselves in schools. The restrictions limit the content teachers can provide and the discussions they’re allowed to have with students, and can even have consequences for LGBTQ teachers working in the state.
Watch this space as the situation in Florida continues to unfold.
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Featured: Creator: Carl Juste | Credit: AP
