On Thursday, the West Point Public Schools board, in West Point, Virginia, voted to fire Peter Vlaming, a high school French teacher, after he refused to use a transgender student’s correct pronouns on multiple occasions, as reported by Buzzfeed News. The vote was unanimous.
The student, a ninth-grader, along with his parents, complained about the teacher’s refusal to use his correct pronouns. Vlaming’s explanation? His religious beliefs.
In a prepared statement, Vlaming said on Thursday:
“We are here today because a specific worldview is being imposed on me. Even higher than my family ranks my faith…I could not in good conscience go as far as using male pronouns.”
And mind you, this wasn’t a miscommunication or misunderstanding. It’s not as though, for example, Vlaming simply didn’t know the student’s correct pronouns had changed, or what was expected of him as an educator in this situation.
In fact, Suzanne Aunspach, the assistant principal of the school, explained to the board that as far back as August, the child’s parents told her that their child was transitioning. This included changing his name, as well as his pronouns. Aunspach then met with each teacher one-on-one to explain this.
Vlaming, who has been teaching at the school for seven years, apparently likes the student in question, but not enough to respect his gender identity. Jonathan Hochman, the West Point High School principal, expressed to the board that Vlaming once said, “I like the student and miss the female version of the student,” when explaining that he would not use the student’s male pronouns.
At the board meeting, did Vlaming show a change of heart? Is he willing to change his behavior in order to continue teaching at the school?
No.
“I’m happy to use the new name, I’m happy to avoid the pronouns that offend. I am not happy to use male pronouns for a female,” Vlaming stated when a board member asked him if he will continue to refuse to use male pronouns for the student if he were allowed back.
“And so you will refuse to use male pronouns to refer to the student in question, is that correct?” the board member clarified.
“Correct.”
While to some it may seem like a small detail (why can’t he just avoid pronouns? Why is this such a big discussion?), using someone’s correct pronouns is a huge deal. Pronouns and gender identity come down to respect and validation. This is important for anyone, but especially for trans teens, who already have to worry about bullying, harassment, and isolation from peers.
When a teacher essentially invalidates a student’s identity, it sends a message that it’s OK for others to do the same. It’s also a reminder to other LGBTQ students that this adult might not be someone they can safely confide in, or that they can use as a resource or source of support.
Trans youth are already at higher risk of depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts. They’re also more likely to become homeless and drop out of high school. The very last thing they need is a teacher who refuses to respect their gender identity.
In fact, studies suggest that the biggest factor that can improve mental health for trans teens is simply support from their parents. Support from educators certainly wouldn’t hurt, either.