Two teachers sue district saying their religion requires them to out trans kids to their parents

Plaintiff Elizabeth Mirabelli
Photo: Screenshot

Two teachers at a California middle school are suing their school district because they are required to use transgender students’ pronouns without telling the students’ parents under a district policy to protect the students’ privacy.

“The policy also forces [plaintiff] Elizabeth [Mirabelli] and others like her to violate faith,” said the teachers’ attorney Paul Jonna. “She has constitutional rights that are being violated by this policy, which is forcing teachers to lie and participate in deception.”

Escondido Union School District’s policy follows California state guidelines that say trans students’ identities should be kept private unless the student gives consent or when necessary to protect a student’s physical or mental well-being. Federal and state laws ban discrimination based on gender identity in education.

Outing a transgender student to their parents can lead to abuse and even homelessness for the child, state education officials note, but Rincon Middle School teachers Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West say that their religious freedom is more important than student safety.

“This case is about…

Read full story, and more, from Source: Two teachers sue district saying their religion requires them to out trans kids to their parents