In a significant ruling on Tuesday, an Indiana federal court dismissed a school religious bias suit filed by a Christian ex-teacher against Brownsburg Community School Corp. The teacher, who resisted using gender-affirming names for transgender students, claimed his religious rights were infringed upon.
Judge Upholds School’s Decision Over Religious Claim
U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson granted summary judgment to the school district, ending the legal challenge posed by former orchestra teacher John Kluge. This development followed a directive from the Seventh Circuit, which in July mandated the application of principles from a recent Supreme Court decision in Groff v. DeJoy.
Judge Magnus-Stinson ruled that the request to allow Kluge to address students solely by their last names would place an undue burden on the school’s obligations. The school must foster an inclusive environment that addresses the needs of all students, a mission that was compromised by Kluge’s practices, which led to significant student and faculty discontent.
