Virginia teacher sues district after being fired for misgendering student

A former Virginia teacher is suing the school district from which he was fired for misgendering a transgender student. 

The lawsuit filed Monday asserts that Peter Vlaming, who taught French at West Point High School, was fired “because he exercised his right to free speech,” The Washington Post reported.

“Vlaming’s conscience and religious practice prevents him from intentionally lying, and he sincerely believes that referring to a female as a male by using an objectively male pronoun is telling a lie,” the lawsuit reportedly reads. 

{mosads}Vlaming reportedly initially vowed to use the student’s new name without pronouns, but the school threatened disciplinary action if he did not use male pronouns.

“I can’t think of a worse way to treat a child than what was happening,” West Point High School Principal Jonathan Hochman said during his testimony in front of the school board, as reported by The Associated Press.

A representative from West Point Public Schools said the school board doesn’t intend to comment because the matter involves “pending litigation.”

The Hill has reached out to West Point High School and Vlaming’s representation for comment.