4 | Personal Pronouns and Student Speech

Can a school enforce its policy that forbids students from intentionally misgendering others? We discuss the case of Parents Defending Education v. Olentangy Local School District, a timely case that addresses the interplay of transgender students' rights and antidiscrimination law with students' free speech rights. ***The original title of this episode included the phrase "preferred pronouns," which we also use sporadically in the episode to describe the pronouns with which someone self-identifies. We've since become aware that norms regarding this terminology have changed and the term has been problematized due to the implication that gender is a preference rather than a fundamental aspect of our identity. In light of this, we've updated the title and will strive to use more inclusive terminology as social understandings and conversations around these topics evolve.***