Federal Appeals Court Upholds Florida Teacher Pronoun Restriction Law

A federal appeals court ruled against Katie Wood, a transgender math teacher in Florida, upholding a 2023 state law that prohibits public school teachers from using pronouns not consistent with their birth sex during official classroom duties. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, determined that Wood was acting as a government employee rather than a private citizen when addressing students, thus the law did not violate her First Amendment rights. This ruling overturned a preliminary injunction previously granted by District Judge Mark Walker, who had found the law likely unconstitutional. The majority opinion, authored by Judge Kevin Newsom and joined by Judge Andrew Brasher, emphasized that classroom speech falls within official duties, while dissenting Judge Adalberto Jordan warned that the ruling could have broad implications for free speech in schools. The law is part of broader Florida legislation targeting transgender identity expression and has been controversial for restricting educators from affirming transgender identities in classrooms. Wood’s challenge highlights ongoing legal and cultural battles over transgender rights and free speech in education.