Maryland School Board Free Speech Battle Erupts Over Gender Policy

[Jessica_Rose]

Maryland School Board Free Speech Battle Erupts Over Gender Policy

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/maryland-school-board-free-speech-battle-erupts-over-gender-policy/ar-AA1yUo3p?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=14fb8a8a1bce4d6ea491e18898449558&ei=7

Story by Mike Jenkins (12 Feb 2025)

The Frederick County Board of Education is under fire after launching a Title IX investigation into Republican board member Colt Black, a move that attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) allege is a politically motivated attempt to silence his protected speech. In a letter sent to the board on Tuesday, ADF demanded that the investigation be immediately halted, arguing that it violates Black's First Amendment rights and represents a dangerous weaponization of Title IX policies for partisan purposes.

The controversy stems from comments Black made during a public board meeting on January 8, where he raised concerns about Board Policy 443, which requires students and staff to use pronouns and names consistent with a student's gender identity rather than their biological sex.

Black argued that the policy violates the First Amendment by compelling speech and forcing individuals to participate in the social gender transition of students.

"My overarching concern is the constitutional implications of 443 and compelled speech that is pushed upon our staff and students here in Frederick County Public Schools," Black said during the meeting. "I'm not sitting here saying that you can't come to school and be who you are. You should be able to do that. But at the same time, people should not have to be forced to participate with their language."

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It saddens me that simply asking someone to show respect is now a question of 'free speech'.

Love always -- Jessica Rose