Indiana counselor sues after being fired for criticizing school gender policy.

Indiana High School Counselor Sues School District Over Transgender Policy

A former Indiana high school counselor is taking legal action against the South Madison Community Schools Corporation for violating her First Amendment rights. Kathy McCord was fired from Pendleton Heights High School after speaking out against the district’s “Gender Support Plan,” which involved concealing a student’s new gender identity from their parents. McCord, who has spent 37 years in education, initially went along with the policy despite her qualms. However, she later felt compelled to speak out and sent an email to teachers informing them of a student’s new gender identity. Days later, dozens of concerned parents and community members showed up at a school board meeting to protest McCord’s firing and the district’s policy.

The Lawsuit

McCord filed a lawsuit in federal court last week, alleging that the school district violated her First Amendment rights by retaliating against her for voicing her disagreement with the district’s policy. The lawsuit is being represented by the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

Teacher Resigns Over Policy

McCord is not the only employee at Pendleton Heights High School to speak out against the district’s policy. Teacher Amanda Keegan resigned in part to protest the gender policy, stating that she could not lie to parents about their children’s mental health and wellbeing.

ADF Senior Counsel Speaks Out

ADF Senior Counsel Vincent Wagner is representing McCord in the lawsuit and stated that “schools can’t keep secrets from parents about their children’s mental health and wellbeing.” Wagner also emphasized that “kids do best when schools and parents work together,” and that South Madison’s policy leaves parents in the dark.

Tonight at 7pm, parents will be showing up to the SMCSC Admin building in Pendleton, IN, to protest the firing of Kathy McCord—a counselor who revealed and denounced a hidden transgender policy at the school. pic.twitter.com/AqwFeclWsx

— Tony Kinnett (@TheTonus) March 2, 2023

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