Vivian Geraghty vs. Jackson Local School District Board Of Education et al

Case Background

On December 12, 2022, Plaintiff Vivian Geraghty filed a civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division (Case number: 5:22cv2237). Judge Pamela A. Barker presided over this case, which centers around religious freedom and the use of preferred pronouns. Geraghty alleges that the Jackson Local School District violated her constitutional rights by compelling her to use students' preferred pronouns, contrary to her religious beliefs.

Cause

Vivian Geraghty, an experienced English teacher at Jackson Memorial Middle School in Canton, Ohio, faced a career-defining conflict in August 2022. The Jackson Local School District implemented a policy mandating teachers to participate in the “social transition” of students by addressing them using names and pronouns consistent with their gender identity instead of their biological sex. Two students requested that Geraghty address them by new names and pronouns aligned with their gender identity. Geraghty, guided by her Christian faith and her understanding of human identity, could not comply with this social transition policy. She approached Principal Kacy Carter to discuss her concerns and seek a solution that would allow her to maintain her professional responsibilities without violating her religious beliefs. Carter initially appeared uncertain about her obligations under the policy and promised to review the matter. However, less than two hours later, Carter and Director Monica Myers summoned Geraghty to a meeting. They demanded that she either comply with the policy or resign immediately. Geraghty explained that complying would force her to violate her religious convictions, but Carter and Myers insisted that she set aside her beliefs as a condition of her employment. When Geraghty refused to compromise her conscience, the administrat