A federal appeals court in St. Louis, Missouri, prohibited a school district in Iowa from imposing anti-free speech regulations that punish students and staff who refuse to “respect” the identity of transgender students.
In April 2022, the Linn Mar Community School District in Iowa adopted a policy regarding transgender students. A provision regarding “names and pronouns” stated that any “intentional and/or persistent refusal by staff or students to respect a student’s gender identity” would be seen as a violation of school board policies, including anti-harassment and anti-bullying rules. Violations shall be “disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include suspension and expulsion.”
