Louden County, Virginia has been a hotbed of headlines and hatred since Critical Race Theory has dominated the news there.
In addition to teachers jobs being on the line, there is a Facebook group for “anti-racist” parents in Virginia county who seem to have taken their hatred to a new level by conspiring against a Christian gym teacher at the center of a high profile anti CRT lawsuit happening in their county.
The teacher, Tanner Cross, was teaching gym at Leesburg Elementary School when he went viral after standing up to the school board with an impassioned speech where he opposed a policy that would force him to use a student’s preferred pronouns. The teacher said that it conflicted with his Christian faith to do so (which makes sense, what with the whole made He them male and female situation).
Cross held the view that no elementary-age student should be allowed to dictate his or her own environment to the degree of choosing their gender. He believed it was not only wrong, but bad for the child, and he said as much during the school board meeting. He didn’t hide the fact that his frustrations were founded in his faith and let it be known that he is ordering his life after biblical principles and as such, he can’t take part in what the school is doing. He also can’t stand by and not speak up when he sees damage coming to children.
According to a report in the Independent Journal Review the teacher told parents and school board members that he hopes to speak “out of love” for those suffering from gender dysphoria, which is the mental illness at the root of many people from one gender who suppose themselves to be part of the other gender:
“I love all of my students but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences,” he told the school board. “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 was placed on leave and has since brought suit against the school board with representation by the Alliance Defending Freedom, filing his case in June after which a judge ordered that he would be allowed to return to work, after which the district appealed his verdict.
Before he had the chance to be reinstated the “Anti-Racist Parents of Loudoun County” Facebook group set out to take the cross down and make his suspension much more permanent, according to recent reporting.
A June 1, an “action item” was posted to the group calling for “disruption of school activities” to “help keep Cross on leave.” Among the suggestions were calls and emails to the principal of the school where Cross worked “keep the heat on to demonstrate that Cross’ behavior is not only contrary to the district, state, and federal policy, but also unacceptable to our community.”
The troubling group previously posted on a number of sensitive topics, including treating gender dysmorphia as if it weren’t the psychologically risky behavior that it is. Cross, however, hasn’t backed down from his position despite national media attention and heat from various groups.
Cross standing up to the school board serves as a reminder that while many people might agree with him until someone is willing to get fired and go through the frustration of standing up to people who disagree, the loudest voices are the ones who will be counted. Cross’ decision to make a difference has the potential to be a positive change for tens of
thousands, if we support him and don’t allow the loud minority to win out.