Idaho introduces a bill to protect public school teachers’ freedom not to use preferred pronouns

Idaho lawmakers advanced a bill Friday that would grant legal protection to public school teachers who opt not to use students’ preferred pronouns.

If passed, House Bill 538 would:

• Bar K-12 public school teachers from using a pronoun or name for an underage student that doesn’t align with their birth sex. (A parent or guardian could consent to referring to their child by a preferred pronoun or name.)
• Protect public employees, including school and college staff, from discipline if they refuse to use a pronoun that doesn’t align with an individual’s birth sex.
• Subject public employers, including school districts, colleges and universities, to civil liability and potential uncapped damages if they compel an employee to use a pronoun that doesn’t align with an individual’s birth sex.

Two public school teachers, Heidi Hill and Steve Bender, testified in support of the new bill.  

Bender, a substitute teacher in the West Ada School District, said students requesting to be addressed by different names and pronouns was a “fad.” 

“I’ve had dozens of interactions with students who want to play this game, sometimes with parental support, but mostly without,” Bender said, according to NWC Life.  

Gretchen Rauer testified against the bill, claiming her transgender daughter is already being denied the right “to participate in sports, to use the bathroom she feels most aligns with her identity, to access gender-affirming health care.”  

“Now, you’re trying to take her name,” she said, according to NCW Life.  

But bill sponsor Rep. Ted Hill, R-District 14, argued that forcing a teacher to use someone’s preferred pronoun is a violation of their First Amendment right. 

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined having a teenager dictate my speech,” Hill said, according to NCW Life. “I’ll recognize whatever pronoun you have, just don’t force me to.” 

House Bill 538 now moves to the House Floor for further deliberation.