UPDATE below.
On Tuesday night at the Loudoun County School Board meeting, Byron “Tanner” Cross, a physical education teacher at Leesburg elementary school, spoke out against Loudoun County’s gender policies. He has since been placed on leave from his teaching duties.
Cross said,
My name is Tanner Cross and I am speaking out of love for those who are suffering from gender dysphoria,
60 Minutes’ this past Sunday interviewed over 30 young people who transitioned but they felt led astray because of lack of pushback or how easy it was to make physical changes to their bodies… They are now detransitioning,
It’s not my intention to hurt anyone, but there are certain truths that we must face when ready. We condemn school policies [that] would damage children, defile the holy image of God.
I love all of my students but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. I’m a teacher but I serve God first and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it’s against my religion. It’s lying to a child, it’s abuse to a child, and it’s sinning against our God.”
Cross’s full statement,
Cross was suspended with pay. Spokesman for the county Wayde Byard refused to comment on why Cross was suspended other than to say it was not the school’s Principal’s decision.
“The contents of personnel files are confidential under state and federal law. I cannot comment other to say that Mr. Cross is on administrative leave with pay.”
More details on the story here and here.
UPDATE: When interviewed Tanner Cross made it clear that his school Principal did not call for his suspension. LCPS Human Resources office did. The only explanation given was they deemed Cross to have been “disruptive” but they would not elaborate. (Speaking out in public against an LCPS policy is disruptive?)
Tanner’s lawyer has stated that teachers in Loudoun County have the same First Amendment rights as every other American. Cross is allowed to speak his views, and practice his religion, without suffering the loss of his job. Loudoun County Public Schools have violated Tanner Cross’s Constitutional rights.
Tanner is receiving support from across the country. Stay tuned, this story is far from over. Will Cross be on Tucker Carlson’s show this evening?
Is it just me, or does it seem Loudoun County schools make national news on a regular basis? How bad must our school board to be?
