On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." This directive establishes a federal policy recognizing only two immutable sexes—male and female—and mandates that all executive agencies adhere to this definition in their operations and policies. The White House
Key Provisions of the Executive Order:
- Definition of Sex: The order defines "sex" as an individual's immutable biological classification as either male or female, explicitly stating that "sex" is not synonymous with "gender identity."
- The White House Policy Implementation: Federal agencies are instructed to enforce laws and policies based on these definitions, ensuring that terms like "male," "female," "men," and "women" are interpreted according to their biological meanings. The White House
- Privacy in Intimate Spaces: The order directs agencies to maintain sex-based distinctions in intimate spaces, such as ensuring that males are not housed in women's prisons or detention centers.
1. Interstate Blood Bank Inc. Case:
Background: Denise Haskins, an employee at Interstate Blood Bank Inc., part of Grifols SA, refused to use a transgender coworker's preferred pronouns due to her religious beliefs.Bloomberg Law News
Legal Action: Haskins filed a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination after her employment was terminated.Richmond Times-Dispatch+1NewsAdvance.com+1
Outcome: In February 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan declined to dismiss the case, allowing it to proceed. Richmond Times-Dispatch+1NewsAdvance.com+1
2. Basis Technologies Case:
Background: In June 2023, Andres Pumariega, a devout Christian employed by Basis Technologies, objected to participating in mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training and Pride Month events, citing religious beliefs.Reason.com
Legal Action: Pumariega was terminated shortly after expressing his objections and filed a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination.Reason.com
Outcome: In October 2024, the U.S. District Court allowed his Title VII religious discrimination claim to proceed, indicating that his allegations were sufficient to suggest he faced adverse employment action due to his religion. Reason.com
Reached a Settlement
1. Wisconsin Teacher's Settlement (March 2025): In March 2025, Jordan Cernek, an English teacher in the Argyle School District, reached a settlement after suing the district for not renewing his contract due to his refusal to use transgender students' preferred names and pronouns. Cernek argued that this requirement violated his religious beliefs and his rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The district agreed to pay $20,000 in damages. The Maine Wire
2. Ohio Teacher's Settlement (January 2025): In January 2025, Vivian Geraghty, a middle school teacher in Ohio, settled with the Jackson Local School District after resigning in 2022 for refusing to use students' preferred pronouns, citing her Christian faith. She filed a lawsuit alleging violations of her First Amendment rights. The district agreed to pay her $450,000 in damages.
3. Virginia Teacher's Settlement (October 2024): In October 2024, Peter Vlaming, a French teacher at West Point High School in Virginia, settled with the school board after being dismissed in 2018 for refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns. Vlaming sued, claiming violations of his constitutional rights. The school board agreed to pay $575,000 in damages and expunge the dismissal from his record.
Some other examples:
1. Shawnee State University Settlement (2022): In 2018, Nicholas Meriwether, a philosophy professor at Shawnee State University in Ohio, was disciplined for refusing to use a transgender student's preferred pronouns, citing his Christian beliefs. He filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging violations of his First Amendment rights. In 2022, the university agreed to settle the lawsuit by paying Meriwether $400,000 in damages and attorney's fees.
2. Jackson Local School District Settlement (2024): Vivian Geraghty, a middle school English teacher in Ohio, resigned after refusing to address two students by their preferred names and pronouns due to her religious beliefs. She filed a lawsuit against the Jackson Local School District, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated. In December 2024, the district settled the lawsuit by agreeing to pay Geraghty $450,000 in damages and attorney's fees.
3. West Point School Board Settlement (2024): In Virginia, French teacher Peter Vlaming was dismissed in 2018 for refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns. He sued the West Point School Board, alleging violations of his rights. In October 2024, the school board agreed to a $575,000 settlement, covering damages and attorney's fees, and expunged the dismissal from his record.
And many more victories across the nation...