A California teacher was accused of misconduct and fired last year for refusing to follow the radical gender doctrines of LGBT activists at the expense of her Christian faith.
Jessica Tapia, a former physical education teacher, told Jurupa Unified School District last week that trampling on Americans’ free exercise of religion and free speech comes at a cost, even in Democratic-dominated states. I told you it was possible.
background
In recent years, JUSD in Riverside County has fully embraced gender ideology and made it law.
policy.
For example, the school district considers harassment when refusing to address a student “by the name or pronouns consistent with the student’s gender identity.” Excluding men from women’s restrooms or preventing them from participating in women’s activities is similarly considered harassment.
Parents who protect education
highlighted Also to JUSD policy Therefore, parents are kept in the dark about their child’s so-called gender identity.
“The directive required Ms. Tapia to lie to parents about the child’s gender identity.”
The policy states, “A student’s intersex, nonbinary, transgender, or gender nonconforming status is personal information about the student.” “The school district will not disclose to the student unless the disclosure is required by law or the district has convincing evidence that disclosure is necessary to preserve the student’s physical or mental health. will only disclose information to others with the prior written consent of .
This is in keeping with California Department of Education policy.
maintain “Disclosing that a student is transgender without the student’s permission may violate California’s anti-discrimination laws.”
Regarding efforts by JUSD students to reject reality and pass themselves off as members of the opposite sex, “compliance officers must not disclose a student’s intersex, nonbinary, transgender, or gender nonconforming status or gender identity. We may discuss with the student the need to express gender to others, including the student’s parents/guardians and/or other students, teachers, and other adults on campus.
These policies that undermine parental rights are no surprise in California.
legally valid Since at least 2013, cross-dressing men have been allowed to infiltrate women’s sports, programs and restrooms.
Refusal to live by a lie
according to her
May 2023 ComplaintsMr. Tapia has held various positions at JUSD since 2014. Although he had good relationships with parents, students, and staff, he was notified of his breach of duty on September 30, 2022.
According to the complaint, Tapia is accused of “posting offensive content on her public Instagram account, mentioning her faith in conversations with students, and expressing controversial opinions on issues related to gender identity.” It is said that
Tapia makes no secret of her religious views on marriage, transvestism, and sexual orientation, anchoring her understanding in a constitutionally protected Biblical worldview.
“God created two sexes, male and female.”
After being notified of the misconduct, Tapia was reportedly offered a “plan of support and direction” that required her to be complicit in furthering the district’s gender ideology and violating parental rights.
“The directive requires Ms. Tapia to lie to parents about her child’s gender identity, to refer to students by their preferred pronouns, to refrain from expressing her religious beliefs on students and on social media, and to ensure that students respond accordingly. “They were required to be allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms of their preferred gender,” the complaint states.
Mr. Tapia sought accommodation in the district because he could not abide by his Christian beliefs and was completely unwilling to live on a lie.
After all, she “believes that God defined human sexuality and that men and women were created in God’s image,” the complaint says. Furthermore, she claims that “God created two genders, male and female.”
She was refused accommodation and subsequently canned.
Tapia contacted Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, and the Rev. Jack Hibbs, a Christian teacher associated with the pro bono law firm Advocates for Faith and Freedom. After that, he said he sued JUSD.
Mariah Gondeiro, then-vice president and general counsel of Faith and Freedom Defenders;
Claimed “Jessica Tapia was not fired for any wrongdoing, but rather for her Christian beliefs. This is a clear violation of her constitutional rights.”
“If the district’s actions were legal, teachers of faith would not be eligible to work as public school teachers.”
The lawsuit, which ultimately named the district, Superintendent Trenton Hansen and Assistant Superintendent Daniel Brooks as defendants, argued that Tapia was deprived of both his religious freedom and free speech rights. It also accused the district of violating the Due Process Clause, Title VII, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
triumphant
JUSD has refused to admit wrongdoing, but approved an out-of-court settlement on May 13. In response, the district will pay Ms. Tapia $285,000 and $75,000 in attorney fees.
“Today’s settlement is a reminder that religious freedom is protected no matter your career path,” said Julian Fleischer, general counsel for Faith and Freedom Defenders. .
Said In a statement. “If the district’s actions were legal, teachers of faith would not be eligible to work as public school teachers.”
“Jessica’s story is one of honest courage. She fought back to hold her district accountable and to ensure that no other teacher has to submit to this type of discrimination,” Frye said. Shah added.
“We want teachers to have confidence in the fact that the best thing they can do for their students is to teach them truth, not deception.”
“What happened to me can happen to anyone, and I want the next teacher to know that it’s worth standing up for what’s right,” Tapia said. “Across the country, we are seeing the free speech and religious freedom of teachers being violated by policies that require moral abandonment. We want teachers to know that the best thing they can do for their students is to tell them the truth. I want them to have confidence in the fact that it’s about educating them, not deceiving them.”
According to the terms of the settlement, both sides will refrain from badmouthing each other or taking further legal action. Additionally, Tapia agreed not to seek a new job with the district.
Tapia appears to have found a calling outside of helping JUSD hide students’ confusion from parents. She partnered with faith and freedom organizations to launch Teachers Don’t Lie.
According to its website, “Teacher’s Don’t Lie” aims to support teachers of faith who feel the weight of the darkness that has permeated the education system. We believe that teachers of faith have the right to participate in the public education system without sacrificing their academic performance. belief and truth. ”
The group works to provide teachers with constitutional understanding and legal support to stand firm when their religious beliefs make them targets of extremist school districts.
JUSD spokeswoman Jackie Paul suggested the settlement is a “compromise of disputed claims.”
report Los Angeles Times.
“The decision to resolve this case was made in the best interests of our students so that the district can continue to dedicate all of its resources and efforts to educating and supporting students, regardless of their protected class. ,” Paul said. .
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