He, She or They? How the Wrong Pronoun Cost a School District $60,000

An Oregon district had to pay a transgender teacher $60,000 over a complaint that colleagues did not address her by her chosen pronoun.

Leo Soell, who formerly identified as a woman, wants to be addressed as "they." However, school staff contnued to use the words "she" or "lady" in reference to her. Soell threatened to file a complaint that also alledged others prevented her from using the gender-neutral restroom.

An investigation found no proof of harassment, but the school district still gave Soell $60,000 for emotional damages to avoid legal fees.

Soell told the Portland Tribune, "I had all this privilege to now have a body that fits my gender and even the ability to buy clothes that fit my gender. Not everyone can do that. ... I match up quite a lot with my gender, but people still misgender me."

Evangelist Franklin Graham expressed disbelief over the suit on his Facebook page.

"Misgendered?" he wrote. "…That's incredible! Use "correct" pronouns? Doesn't a person's DNA or birth certificate count for anything? Shouldn't fact override fantasy? God created people male and female."

The evangelist has been critical of President Barack Obama's directive ordering public schools to allow transgendered students to use the bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Graham asked if Obama considered himself as the "sultan of Washington" who believes he can make any decree he wants.

He also accused the president of showing no fear of God, and that God made humans male and female.

Source: The Portland Tribune