Florida Judge Halts Enforcement of Pronoun Law Against Transgender Teacher

A federal judge has stopped Florida from enforcing a law that restricts how pronouns can be used against a transgender teacher who sued the state.

While this ruling doesn’t apply statewide, it allows teacher Katie Wood to use her preferred pronouns because she had already shared them before the law took effect.

Judge Mark Walker criticized Florida’s law, saying it violates the First Amendment by dictating how public school teachers can refer to themselves. He emphasized individuals’ rights to define their own identities without government interference.

The lawsuit was filed by Wood and nonbinary teacher AV Schwandes to challenge the law, which prohibits public school employees from using pronouns that don’t correspond to their sex. Schwandes was fired for using the title “Mx.” in email signatures to students.

Florida Judge Halts Enforcement of Pronoun Law Against Transgender Teacher

Although Wood received a preliminary injunction, Schwandes’ request was denied because they didn’t show evidence of speech being “chilled” by state officials. Both argued that the law violates federal employment discrimination protections and constitutional rights.

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The Florida Department of Education has yet to respond to the ruling. Walker will soon decide on the state’s motion to dismiss the case.