A school in Wisconsin has now closed a Title IX ‘sexual harassment’ inquiry into three of its teenage students who reportedly used improper pronouns when addressing a gender non-binary classmate.
Kiel School announced it had closed its case against Braden Rabidoux, 13, and three other male students who had called their gender non-binary classmate by the wrong pronoun, after forcing the young students to go through what must have been a very traumatic and unnecessary ordeal which may affect their college applications in the future.
“We have issued clear directives and expectations to all students involved in this matter for the purpose of preventing bullying and harassment and ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students,” said the school.
“Based on these actions, and pursuant to District policies and procedures, the School District considers this matter closed.”
Title IX covers a wide range of issues relating to sexual harassment or sex-based discrimination in schools that receive state funding. Under Biden’s leadership, the legislation has been extended to include protection in schools for trans or non-binary students, including allowing male trans students to compete in girls’ sports and forcing schools to adopt gender-neutral policies or face the removal of funds.
The school said as much in its statement, suggesting that its hands were tied by higher authority:
“We too would have liked to engage the community in our discussions, but were prohibited by state and federal laws related to student confidentiality, and deep concerns for student, staff, and public safety,” said the School District.
The three students were represented by the conservative legal group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, who called the whole sorry state of affairs “misguided” and said that while the school had attempted to divert the case onto other matters, it was really about a group of young teenagers using the wrong pronoun:
“We are pleased that the Kiel Area School District has finally ended its misguided Title IX investigation,” said the student’s attorneys Luke Berg and Cory Brewer.
“While the District’s statement attempts to reframe the investigation, it was always primarily about ‘mis-pronouning.
“The District may not be willing to admit it publicly, but it has recognized that it has no legal basis to demand that our clients refrain from “mis-pronouning” other students,” the group added.
Title IX says: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The Obama administration extended this policy to include the prohibition of any discrimination based on gender identity and transgender status. This addition to the Title was later removed by Trump but has since been reinstated under Biden.
But on June 2, conservative attorneys Berg and Brewer pointed out that Title IX “typically covers things like rape, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, inappropriate touching, and quid pro quo sexual favors” and not misgendering.
“We also pointed out that none of that – or anything even close to it – is alleged here,” they wrote.
Rabidoux told Fox he has been left feeling anxious, upset, and concerned for his future after the ordeal, particularly as he believes his chance of going to college may have been shattered:
“[I’m] mostly anxious for my present self and my future self because a charge like that on my record could shatter my chances at getting into a college when I grow up,” the thirteen-year-old told Fox.
The three boys said their non-binary classmate had screamed abuse at them for using female pronouns instead of gender-neutral ones when addressing it.
Braden Rabidoux’s mother Rosemary said schools should be focused on providing kids with a good academic education, and not on gender.
“This is completely outrageous…a middle schooler would be charged with sexual harassment simply for using the wrong pronoun.”
Three students were notified of an investigation for harassment for using the wrong pronoun. Rose Rabidoux and Counsel Luke Berg react. @ericbolling pic.twitter.com/Ozw0SmVZsp
— Newsmax (@newsmax) May 17, 2022
“This is middle school. These guys are kids, they’re learning how to interact with each other, and they’ve been taught all their life to see a girl and use pronouns “she” and “her.” They don’t understand using plural pronouns for one student,” said the mom.
“Schools should be focused on education, on math and science and social studies, and not…pronouns.”
This story syndicated with permission from Jo Marney, Author at Trending Politics
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