ADF to 6th Circuit: Compelled pronouns violate free speech

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch regarding a proposed friend-of-the-court brief ADF attorneys filed Wednesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Parents Defending Education v. Olentangy Local School District Board of Education in support of educators and students’ First Amendment right to speak according to their deeply held beliefs. In the case, a three-judge panel affirmed the denial of preliminary relief. But the full 6th Circuit vacated that panel opinion, and now Parents Defending Education is asking the full court to reverse the denial:

“First Amendment rights don’t disappear behind school doors—whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student. Olentangy Local School District has joined a troubling trend of school districts adopting gender-identity policies that force their staff and students to convey a message on a fundamental issue of human nature that directly conflicts with their faith. As we explain in our brief, for many people, the choice of pronouns communicates their belief that sex is immutable, and to use pronouns or names that reflect a gender identity inconsistent with sex violates their core convictions. The First Amendment guarantees every student and educator the right to speak in a manner consistent with their beliefs. We are urging the full 6th Circuit to affirm this fundamental constitutional protection.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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