An American school district has agreed to pay nearly A$300,000 to a veteran Christian school counsellor, who it fired for publicly opposing a gender identity student policy because of her faith.
Kathy McCord who has worked in education for 37-years, sued the South Madison Community School Corporation in the state of Indiana, after being terminated for refusing to follow the policy that required staff to conceal from parents that their child identified as the opposite sex while at school.
The policy required counsellors and other employees to use names and pronouns for students that did not correspond with their biological sex, without requiring parental notification or consent.
In some cases, it even mandated that these new names and pronouns be hidden from parents.
“NO AMERICAN SHOULD BE FIRED FOR HER BELIEFS”
After news of the policy leaked out and a reporter asked Mrs. McCord about it, she confirmed the accuracy of the information, as a representative of the community, not a school employee.
She was sacked soon after the report which named her was published.
“No American should be fired for expressing her beliefs, especially not an educator speaking in her personal capacity, on her own time, and out of concern for her students,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Vincent Wagner who represented the counselor.
“Kathy knows that kids do best when schools and parents work together.”
“But South Madison left parents in the dark and it’s regrettable that it made Kathy endure three years of litigation to get to this point.”
COUNSELLOR TOLD TO FOLLOW GENDER POLICY IF SHE WANTED TO KEEP HER JOB
Shortly after the ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit, a new Indiana law took effect that forced South Madison to rescind its directive not to require parental notification.
Previously, Mrs. McCord and other staff had to use a form called a “Gender Support Plan” to document whenever the school decided to begin using cross-gender names or pronouns for a student and whether the school would notify a student’s parents.
The plan was implemented without consulting the school community or parents at a board meeting and without even posting it on its website.
Mrs. McCord objected to the directive, but was told if she wished to keep her job, she had to follow it.
WHAT KATHY McCORD’S LAWSUIT ARGUED
Her lawsuit argued: “South Madison fired Mrs. McCord for exercising her constitutional rights.”
“Even before its unconstitutional retaliation, it compelled her to speak a viewpoint that violates her religion.”
“For decades, Mrs. McCord loved helping students — and excelled at it.”
“Today, she just wants to get back to a school to help more kids.”
VINDICATION FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELLOR’S STAND
“Therefore, she brings this complaint for injunctive, declaratory, compensatory, and nominal relief,” the lawsuit concluded.
Just before the case was due to be heard In a district court, the two parties agreed to a settlement.
South Madison will pay nearly A$300,000 in assorted legal costs and fees.
It was vindication for Kathy McCord’s Biblically inspired gender critical stand in support of her students.
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