A school teacher in Beaver County that had been suspended for refusing to recognize a student’s preferred pronouns was reinstated during a school board meeting, according to a story from WPXI.
Biology and anatomy teacher Daren Cusato was suspended last week after not referring to transgender students by their requested pronouns, citing religious beliefs.
More than 400 people were in attendance at Wednesday’s South Side Area School District board meeting, and many of the ones that spoke were in support of Cusato’s reinstatement.
“My uncle Daren is standing up for what is right, even though he is standing by himself. I am thoroughly embarrassed that South Side School District has taken this arbitrary stance in choosing to align with the one percent,” his niece said, according to the news station.
One woman accused the district of being afraid of “getting sued.”
“We shouldn’t be afraid of being sued. Fine. If you want to sue us, sue us. Let’s take it to the Supreme Court. Let’s take it all the way,” she said.
Other people defended the school’s decision.
“Transgender students have a right to be identified by their chosen name, their pronouns. School staff must use that name,” one woman said.
Eventually, the board not only reinstated Cusato, they also suspended the district’s policy that students must be referred to by their chosen pronouns. The board intends to write a new policy on the subject at a future meeting, according to WPXI.
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