Swindon teacher sacked after refusing to use pupil’s preferred pronouns without parental permission

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Fury over ‘witch hunt’ dismissal of Swindon math teacher after he refused to use teenage student’s favorite pronouns without permission from student’s parents

  • Kevin Lister, 59, takes legal action against his employers over unfair dismissal
  • A school in Swindon fired him after he refused to confirm the student’s gender reassignment
  • He said he would not refer to biological female student, 17, with male pronouns
  • Lister claims he is the victim of a ‘witch hunt’ for challenging ‘dangerous ideology’
  • He has received support from campaigners and Tory MP Danny Kruger

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A math teacher has been fired after refusing to confirm a student’s gender reassignment because he wanted permission from the student’s parents first.

Kevin Lister is taking legal action against his employers for unfair dismissal and claims he is the victim of a ‘witch hunt’ for challenging ‘dangerous transgender ideology’.

He was backed by campaigners and Tory MP Danny Kruger, who said he was “deeply concerned” that under recent government guidelines the teacher was within his right to exercise caution.

A math teacher has been fired after refusing to confirm a teenage student's gender reassignment because he wanted permission from the student's parents (stock photo)

A math teacher has been fired after refusing to confirm a teenage student’s gender reassignment because he wanted permission from the student’s parents (stock photo)

Mr Lister, a teacher at a school in Swindon, had had an impeccable teaching career spanning 18 years before being fired this month for ‘gross misconduct’.

He had refused to refer to a 17-year-old biological female student by their preferred male name and he/him pronouns in A-level classes.

The 59-year-old teacher told The Mail on Sunday he was concerned that the ‘falling out of the blue’ request amounted to social transition, which could put the teen on a path to irreversible medical treatment.

“I just wanted to make sure my student was getting parental support and making an informed decision,” he said. “As a parent, I would have been furious if my child had taken this step and hadn’t been told.”

Mr Lister said he was “stunned” when he approached security officers and was told the parents would not be informed of the student’s desire to identify himself as a male in class. The school’s guide to supporting transition students states that staff should “keep confidentiality and tell others about the person’s trans status only with their consent.”

1664059883 610 Swindon teacher sacked after refusing to use pupils preferred pronouns

1664059883 610 Swindon teacher sacked after refusing to use pupils preferred pronouns

He was backed by campaigners and Tory MP Danny Kruger, who said he was “deeply concerned” that the teacher was within his right to exercise caution under recent government guidelines.

Mr Lister said he was in an “impossible position” at the time: “In the end, I pointed to her as politely as possible to avoid calling her dead or supporting the transition without parental consent.” A few weeks later, the student wanted to compete in a female math Olympiad.

Mr. Lister said, ‘I put the names of the students on the board who wanted to participate and I put her name on the board as a woman’s name to enter a women’s math competition.’

Earlier this year, Mr Lister learned that some students accused him of transphobia and he was suspended in February pending an investigation and escorted off the school grounds.

A disciplinary hearing last month upheld three complaints, namely that he subjected “a gender-transitioning student” to “transphobic discrimination” and “harassment” and “refused” to use their preferred name and pronouns.

Last month, then-Attorney General Suella Braverman said the law was clear that young people under 18 could not legally change their gender, meaning schools were not required by law to address children with a new pronoun.

Last month, then-Attorney General Suella Braverman said the law was clear that young people under 18 could not legally change their gender, meaning schools were not required by law to address children with a new pronoun.

Last month, then-Attorney General Suella Braverman said the law was clear that young people under 18 could not legally change their gender, meaning schools were not required by law to address children with a new pronoun.

He was told in a letter earlier this month from the school’s vice principal that he had “humiliated” the student by pointing in the classroom and that he was “insensitive” by writing the female name on the board pertaining to the Olympiad.

The letter, announcing his resignation, added: “We recognize that you are entitled to your beliefs, but I believe that your treatment of [the student] violated his dignity.’

Mr Lister has refuted the charges against him, saying he was simply trying to protect the well-being of his student.

Last month, then-Attorney General Suella Braverman said the law was clear that young people under the age of 18 could not legally change their gender, meaning schools were not required by law to address children with a new pronoun.

Mr Kruger, Member of Parliament for Devizes, Wiltshire, said: ‘I am deeply concerned that a school would agree to confirm a child’s transgender identity without parental consent.’

A school spokesperson said: “We cannot comment.”