Byron “Tanner” Cross, a PE teacher at Leesburg Elementary school, Virginia, has been put on paid administrative leave because he spoke his mind during the Loudon County Public Schools meeting last Tuesday concerning a policy for “Rights of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students.”
The Christian teacher took a stand and refused to address the transgender students with their preferred pronouns, as reported by The New York Post. He referred to policy 8040 which states: “LCPS staff shall allow gender-expansive or transgender students to use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence, regardless of the name and gender recorded in the student’s permanent educational record.”
The clip of Byron ‘Tanner’ Cross blasting the county’s gender policy during a school board meeting on Tuesday was earlier shared on social media. pic.twitter.com/TJq940xgRB
— Santhosh Kumar (@spsk1985) May 29, 2021
He started his speech, which has been shared online, saying: “My name is Tanner Cross and I am speaking out of love for those who are suffering from gender dysphoria.”
“It’s not my intention to hurt anyone, but there are certain truths that we must face when ready,” he continued.
“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.”
Highlighting this respectful, civil protest against the language of transgenderism:
“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 …
— Tim Scheiderer (@TimScheiderer) May 28, 2021
Addressing the board, Cross went on to discuss a “60 Minutes” special which revealed that a number of young people who made physical changes to their bodies are now in the process of de-transitioning.
The school refused to reveal the exact reasons as to why Cross was put on paid leave stating that the matter was private and the teachers’ files were confidential.
However, Cross’ wife took to Facebook to confirm her husband was put on leave because he gathered the courage to speak out loud about the issue that concerns America.
As Americans, we believe that every American has the right to their beliefs, but NO AMERICAN HAS THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE THEIR BELIEFS ON OTHERS,” she wrote.
“We spoke out first and foremost to protect the children and also to defend the first amendment rights of teachers and staff.”
According to Fox News, the school sent parents an e-mail saying that Cross is put on paid leave and that his duties will be covered by a substitute teacher.
What are your thoughts on this?