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| | | ADVERTORIAL | Dear Friend,
It's an open secret: There are government officials chipping away at the foundation of the First Amendment – and threatening your freedoms in the process.
Right now, we at Alliance Defending Freedom are fighting for victory in cases where the government is trying to control how people of faith live their daily lives.
People like Peter Vlaming.
In 2018, Peter was fired. Not for something he did or said – but for something he couldn't say.
And once you hear his story, we hope you will show your support by adding your name to the growing list of those who won't tolerate the silencing of free speech. Teachers like Peter should not have to abandon their fundamental rights at the schoolhouse door. | | | | | What happened to Peter
It all started when one of Peter's female students began identifying as a boy.
Peter loves and respects all his students – it's part of what made him so well-liked and good at his job. So when this particular student asked to be referred to by a masculine-sounding name , Peter agreed. In fact, Peter had every student in all his classes choose new French names so this student would feel more comfortable.
But the one thing Peter couldn't do was refer to a female student using male pronouns such as "he" or "him."
As a French teacher, Peter knows that words and language carry meaning.
And as a Christian, Peter believes that God created humans in His image, as male or female. This is a biological reality. To call a boy a girl or vice versa would be to endorse an ideology that denies the truth and conflicts with his beliefs. And it would mean lying to his students about who God created them to be.
So Peter tried to accommodate the student by using the student's chosen name instead of pronouns whenever possible. He tried hard not to offend the student.
But he couldn't violate his conscience. And he couldn't speak a lie.
Using the student's chosen name in place of pronouns worked fine until a near-accident one day in the hallway. The class was engaged in a virtual reality activity. When Peter saw that the student was about to crash into a wall, he reflexively called out, "Don't let her hit the wall!"
Peter immediately apologized to the student, but that wasn't good enough for school officials who demanded total conformity to the school's radical ideological beliefs.
That split second reaction – out of concern for the student's safety – eventually led to Peter being fired.
With the help of ADF, Peter filed a lawsuit. His case will be heard by the Virginia Supreme Court this fall.
Teachers like Peter don't abandon their fundamental rights at the schoolhouse door.
Will you stand with Peter for free speech today?
| | | | | Peter couldn't speak a lie
The administration of West Point High School demanded Peter use male pronouns when addressing the female student – even when the student's chosen name would be just as polite to use.
There was no room for accommodation for Peter. And there was no respect for his faith or convictions.
In fact, he was told that his "personal religious beliefs end at the school door" when they conflict with school board policy.
The idea that Peter must be forced to check his expertise in language and his religious beliefs at the door just because he's a government employee ignores our nation's rich heritage of making room for people of all faiths. And it gives his superiors the power to impose their beliefs on teachers and students alike.
But Peter could not say something he knew wasn't true.
So – the school board fired him.
Friend, how would you feel if this happened to a teacher in your community? How would you feel if it happened to you?
The message sent to people like Peter is loud and clear: Compromise your beliefs. Disagreement is not an option. Total conformity is required.
| | | | | What Peter endured
For Peter, being fired for standing by his conscience was no small thing.
The father of four and breadwinner lost out on a much-needed salary to support his family, and he lost a job he loved – teaching kids that he loved.
Peter's care for his students – his exemplary job record – his willingness to go out of his way and accommodate the student – none of it was enough. He was fired for not giving up his beliefs.
The classroom is meant to be a marketplace of ideas, not an assembly line for one school of thought. Yet we're seeing more and more school administrators sideline free speech rather than striving for true tolerance – which can only be achieved through respectful disagreement.
Gender identity ideology is being treated by some as settled science. In reality, it's pure ideology. Not science. It harms children. And it's being used to threaten the livelihoods of hard-working Americans like Peter.
His critical case will be heard by the Virginia Supreme Court later this year.
Will you sign your name and stand in solidarity with Peter for free speech and religious freedom?
| | | | | | Thank you in advance for your support!
Alliance Defending Freedom
P.S. Peter was fired for his faith. With a critical argument in his case before the Virginia Supreme Court coming up, will you show your support for him and take a stand? You can sign your name here! | | | | | | | |
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