Ohio Court Hears Case on School Gender Pronoun Policy

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear a case involving the Olentangy Local School District's policy that mandates the use of students' preferred pronouns, which is being challenged by Parents Defending Education, a national Christian organization. The lawsuit, which has attracted attention from various advocacy groups, including the ACLU and the Manhattan Institute, questions whether the policy infringes on the free speech rights of students who adhere to traditional views of gender. A lower court previously upheld the district's policies, leading to this en banc hearing, which is relatively rare. The policies under scrutiny include guidelines that prohibit language deemed insulting or offensive regarding gender identity and a broader anti-discrimination policy. Ohio's solicitor general is joining the case, representing the interests of 22 states. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for similar policies across the country.