The Capital Equality Democratic Caucus is disappointed in how Leon County Schools and Superintendent Rocky Hanna have handled the issue of a teacher’s request to be addressed by a gender-neutral title and pronouns. The school district had an opportunity to demonstrate one of their core values – compassion and respect – and failed to do so.

We hope that the resolution that has been reached is appeasing to all parties, and that the teacher was not in any way pressured to accept a transfer as an alternative to punishment or termination. It would be a poor example for students, teachers, and staff if Leon County Schools violated their own nondiscrimination policy which enumerates protection from discrimination on the basis of “sex (including transgender, gender nonconforming and gender identity).”