Above: Byron “Tanner” Cross (Screenshot from WSLS 10 Youtube)
VIRGINIA | The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the reinstatement Aug. 30 of a Loudoun County gym teacher — who had been suspended after he spoke against a policy that protects transgender students.
The Loudoun County School Board earlier this month approved Policy 8040 — which allows trans students to use their preferred names and pronouns and school facilities that align with their gender identity. This policy is in accordance with legislation that Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law last year.
The school board held public hearings — police responded to one after chaos erupted — before the vote.
Tanner Cross, a gym teacher at Leesburg Elementary School, at a May 25 hearing stated it was against his beliefs to “affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa” and was placed on administrative leave.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ legal group, sued the board on Cross’ behalf.
Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James Plowman in June ruled Cross was exercising free speech and had a right to reinstatement. The school board appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, but Monday’s ruling disappointed families and advocates for Loudoun County trans students.
“Transgender and non-binary youth are worthy of protection, should be treated with the same dignity and respect as cisgender students,” Mark Eckstein, advocacy chair for PFLAG Metro DC, said in a statement to NBC4 Washington.
He added trans students “deserve the right to learn in an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and harm.”
