Hypersensitivity and scientific illiteracy currently plague the American education system. As a place where kids should grow and develop into functioning adults, campuses have instead become institutions where children are taught to reject all who disagree with their beliefs. Unfortunately, rude awakenings approach as they enter the real world comprised of diverse viewpoints and lifestyles.
The Associated Press reports that Brownsburg High School in Indiana is allegedly forcing teachers to address transgender students by their preferred rather than birth names. To request a title change, students must have written consent from both parents and doctors.
An orchestra instructor has now resigned after stating that the campus threatened to fire him for not abiding by the protocol, which he says infringes on his religious beliefs and constitutional rights.
The teacher, John Kluge, was previously permitted to address each pupil by surname to avoid conflict, according to the Indianapolis Star. However, the facility recently changed the policy, requiring all to be called by their preferred names.
Kluge filed a tentative resignation letter, which he then attempted to rescind during a meeting. He claims the file went unanswered. The district argues, however, that Kluge’s notice was entirely voluntary. He now plans to plead his case to the school board, asking that they permit him to continue his post in the classroom.
The Debate
AP reports that Kluge stated:
“As a Christian, I believe God has created us male and female and it would be going against my Christian convictions to encourage them in transgenderism.”
During a school board meeting, dozens of locals voiced their opinions on Kluge. The crowd cheered as one transgender student claimed:
“I think that Mr. Kluge’s religious beliefs have absolutely no place in a public high school. I think that everybody advocating in support for Kluge needs to think about what it is like to be a transgender person and what it is like to live your life knowing that there are people who would say that you are not an actual human being and actively disrespect you.”
It seems the U.S. education system is in shambles. By calling students by their last names, it cannot be equated that Kluge was disrespectful and feels those with gender dysphoria are not human. It also does not show that he has forced his beliefs on anyone.
Differing viewpoints foster intellectual growth. Many millennials today carry the conviction of oppressing any dissenting views against their lifestyles. Such behavior infringes on the right to freedom of speech and stifles creative thought.
The campus environment should be one in which all feel safe to flourish. If Kluge targeted specific students and aggressively forced his beliefs upon them, then he is unqualified for his post. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude he was behaving in a way unfit for the classroom.
Scientifically Illiterate
As reported by Liberty Nation, although teens are increasingly identifying as transgender, by the time they reach adulthood only 6% to 24% of boys and 12% to 27% of girls still believe they were born the wrong sex.
By allowing adolescents to change their titles before it is certain that they suffer from gender dysphoria, they may become pressured to continue with the identification years later. Most researchers agree that youth struggling with their assigned gender should receive mental evaluations. A diagnosis should be made before committing to permanent alterations in lifestyle.
It seems Brownsburg High is enforcing a scientifically illiterate protocol, teaching pupils to outcast all who disagree. As Kluge pleads for employment, LN will keep readers updated with the outcome of the case.
