Teacher Ousted for Opposing Book With LGBT Themes Reinstated, Awarded $181K
“The First Amendment protects the right of Lindsey — and all public employees — to express their concerns about what schools are teaching children without the government cancelling them."
A substitute teacher who was fired after objecting to a book depicting a same-sex couple being read to children must be reinstated and will be awarded over $180,000 in a settlement with the school district.
The Alliance Defending Freedom secured the legal victory for Georgia mother Lindsey Barr, who was ousted from her position as a substitute teacher after contacting the school regarding the picture book All Are Welcome being read to her daughter’s class in the same school district.
"Lindsey spoke out as a Christian, a mother, and a private citizen on an important issue —namely, the content and age-appropriateness of a picture book that the school planned to read to her kids and other elementary-aged children that conflicted with her family's values and faith," Senior Counsel to ADF, Philip A. Sechler, said in a statement when Barr’s settlement with Bryan County Schools was announced.
"We commend the school district for finally doing the right thing and understanding that the First Amendment protects the right of Lindsey — and all public employees — to express their concerns about what schools are teaching children without the government cancelling them,” the statement added.
In the lawsuit filed last year, the ADF accused the district and Schools Human Resources Director, Debi McNeal, and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Trey Robertson, of targeting her for her faith.
"Defendants' firing of Lindsey Barr was neither neutral nor generally applicable but was hostile and targeted directly at the content of her religious beliefs," the suit stated.
It continued that “under Defendants' policies and practices, Lindsey Barr is not allowed to serve as a substitute teacher because of her views on marriage, family, and the appropriateness of a public elementary school reading her young children a picture book with drawings of same-sex couples embracing, pregnant, and parenting.”