Fired for refusing to use a student’s `preferred pronoun´.

Peter Vlaming was a well-liked French teacher at West Point High School in Virginia. But late last year, was fired because he refused to call a ninth-grade student who transitioned from female to male by the student’s new preferred pronoun, “he.”

Vlaming, explained his point by saying “I could not, in good conscience based on my Christian faith, call a girl a boy”.

At a time, Vlaming agreed to use the student’s new name. But since he wouldn’t refer to the biological girl as “he” or “him,” he was placed on administrative leave in October of 2018.

“I was told that not only would I pronounce masculine pronouns when referring to the student when students were present, but that I would do so even when students weren’t present. I was given a written ultimatum that insisted that I use masculine pronouns for the student and that I would be fired if they deemed that I was avoiding the use of masculine pronouns,” Vlaming said.

“I had a hearing on December 6th,” Vlaming told CBN News. “And it was long. It was a four-hour hearing. Afterward, The West Point public school board unanimously voted to fire me.”

Vlaming is looking into a possible appeal. “It’s as though I was hounded, sought out. I was pursued with the intent of getting me to fall in line,” Vlaming said. “With getting me to believe in a very specific way.  And that’s not okay. In our country, we’re supposed to have freedom of conscience and not to be compelled to believe in a very specific way. Especially with regard to something that is human nature,” he added.

Vlaming says that being out of work for six months has not been easy for his family. But his faith is giving him the strength he needs. “There’s bound to be opposition to living for God. I was bought to a point where I had to make a decision that cost something.  And when that happens it’s an opportunity to grow in your faith. It’s an opportunity to show the Lord, yes, I am for you. Yes, I trust you.”

Source:  CBN News