Teacher Fired For Refusing To Use Preferred Pronouns Receives $360,000 From California School District
The Jurupa Unified School District of California reached a settlement on Tuesday, agreeing to pay $360,000 to a former high school teacher who was terminated for refusing to use students’ preferred pronouns.
The lawsuit, filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom in May 2023, stemmed from the dismissal of gym teacher at the time Jessica Tapia, who declined to adhere to the school district’s requirements in 2022.
It cited Tapia’s religious beliefs as the reason for her not using preferred pronouns to cater to students’ gender identity, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The outlet added that the school district will allocate $285,000 to Tapia and $75,000 to her legal representatives.
Legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom Julianne Fleischer emphasized in a statement the significance of the settlement.
“Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” she stated.
Fleischer praised Tapia’s resilience, adding, “Jessica’s story is one of faithful courage. She fought back to ensure her school district was held accountable and that no other teacher has to succumb to this type of discrimination.”
The lawsuit accuses the school district of compelling Tapia to undertake certain actions regarding students’ gender identity, including a push to “lie to parents about their children’s gender identity, refer to students by their preferred pronouns, refrain from expressing her religious beliefs with students or on her social media, and allow students to use the bathroom or locker room that matched their preferred sex.”
The lawsuit, filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom in May 2023, stemmed from the dismissal of gym teacher at the time Jessica Tapia, who declined to adhere to the school district’s requirements in 2022.
It cited Tapia’s religious beliefs as the reason for her not using preferred pronouns to cater to students’ gender identity, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The outlet added that the school district will allocate $285,000 to Tapia and $75,000 to her legal representatives.
Legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom Julianne Fleischer emphasized in a statement the significance of the settlement.
“Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” she stated.
Fleischer praised Tapia’s resilience, adding, “Jessica’s story is one of faithful courage. She fought back to ensure her school district was held accountable and that no other teacher has to succumb to this type of discrimination.”
The lawsuit accuses the school district of compelling Tapia to undertake certain actions regarding students’ gender identity, including a push to “lie to parents about their children’s gender identity, refer to students by their preferred pronouns, refrain from expressing her religious beliefs with students or on her social media, and allow students to use the bathroom or locker room that matched their preferred sex.”
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