Christian Schoolteacher in California Receives $360,000 Settlement After Firing Over Refusal to Use Students’ Preferred Pronouns
A former Christian school teacher in California has received a $360,000 settlement after being fired for refusing to use students’ preferred pronouns or hide their gender identity from their parents.
Jessica Tapia, who previously worked for the Jurupa Unified School District, sued the district in California federal court, resulting in the settlement.
The incident began in September 2022 when the district issued Tapia a “Notice of Unprofessional Conduct,” citing her for engaging in unprofessional behavior. According to Tapia, who spoke to Fox News about the situation, students discovered her social media accounts, which showcased her beliefs as an “outspoken Christian conservative,” and reported her to the school district, disagreeing with her views.
“The next day, I was pulled out of my class away from my students, never to return again,” Tapia explained. “I was placed on paid administrative leave, which then led to three various meetings at the school district office.”
Tapia’s lawsuit accused the school district of targeting her for “posting offensive content on her public Instagram account, referencing her faith during conversations with students, and expressing controversial opinions on issues pertaining to gender identity.”
The lawsuit further claimed that the district required Tapia to “lie to parents about their children’s gender identity, refer to students by their preferred pronouns, refrain from expressing her religious beliefs with students or on her social media, and allow students to use the bathroom or locker room that matched their preferred sex.”
Tapia noted that these rules were hypothetical, as she had never been asked to use pronouns that contradicted a student’s biological sex.
After seeking a religious accommodation, the school opted to fire her
“The school district specifically terminated her because of her religious beliefs,” said Tapia’s attorney, Julianne Fleischer. “What we’re seeing with these types of directives at school districts across the nation as they’re implementing these different transgender policies and threatening teachers and educators with termination from their employment, is a type of religious test … because what they’re essentially saying is you need to ascribe to our own religion or you’re no longer qualified to serve as a public school teacher,”
“Jessica’s religious beliefs become second class to the school district’s ideology as it relates to transgender and transgender policies,” Fleischer added.
Following the lawsuit, the school district agreed to the $360,000 settlement with Tapia. A spokesperson for the district stated, “The settlement is not a win for Ms. Tapia but is in compromise of a disputed claim.”
