Virginia Teacher Wins $575,000 Settlement After Pronoun Dispute

Peter Vlaming was fired for refusing to use a transgender student's preferred pronouns, sparking a legal battle over free speech and religious rights.

The settlement was reached after the Virginia Supreme Court reinstated Vlaming's lawsuit, emphasizing free speech and religious freedom protections.
Vlaming consistently used the student's new name but avoided pronouns, citing his religious beliefs, which led to his termination in 2018.
The West Point School Board agreed to pay damages and legal fees, also clearing Vlaming's firing from his record.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's updated policies on transgender students influenced the school board's decision to settle.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between educational policies and individual beliefs regarding gender identity.