A Physical Education teacher who works in a progressive Virginia school district has been put on leave after publicly refusing to use the preferred pronouns of transgender students at the school he works at.
The Christian teacher, Byron “Tanner” Cross, spoke out Tuesday at a Loudoun County Public Schools meeting about a “Rights of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students” policy.
According to The New York Post, the policy stated that “staff shall allow gender-expansive or transgender students to use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence.”
“My name is Tanner Cross, and I am speaking out of love for those who are suffering from gender dysphoria,” the Leesburg Elementary teacher said in a video that was posted online.
Cross referred to a recent “60 Minutes” episode highlighting teens who were now “de-transitioning” after allegedly rushing their decisions to become transgender.
“I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences,” Cross reportedly said.
“I’m a teacher, but I serve God first, and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it’s against my religion,” he stated.
On Friday, the school district confirmed that Cross had been placed on paid administrative leave after the school notified parents via email on Thursday.
