Teacher Who Refused to Sue Trans Students’ Preferred Names Heading to Trial

Transgender issues have intersected with religious freedoms in many complex, interesting ways. From classrooms and bathrooms to hospitals and courts, transgender individuals have fought for their rights to a considerable degree. At the same time, religious groups in the United States have become increasingly vocal about their own rights, arguing that the government is impeding on their ability to practice their faiths. Inevitably, trans individuals and religious individuals have come into conflict. A recent example involves a teacher in Indianapolis and his trans students.

Teacher Wins the Right to Sue School After Refusing to Use Trans Students’ Names

In August of 2025, Premier Christian News reported that a teacher in Indiana had won the right to pursue a lawsuit against his former employer. The teacher is suing his former school for forcing him to use the “preferred names” of his trans students. He refused due to his religious faith, offering to use the students’ last names instead. He felt that this was a valid compromise, and he compared it to how coaches talk to their players. 

Initially, the school accepted the compromise. However, staff and students complained to such a degree that the school administrators faced serious pressure. In the end, they offered the teacher an ultimatum: Either use the trans students’ preferred names or be fired. He chose the latter and immediately filed a Title VII lawsuit after leaving the school.

Depending on who you ask, this could represent a religious freedom violation under the Civil Rights Act. Of course, this question will need to be explored by the relevant courts – something that will now happen thanks to a Court of Appeals decision. 

In August, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an earlier decision by a lower court to dismiss the lawsuit. The appellate court concluded that the school district failed to establish that the plaintiff’s use of last names represented a form of harm to the students. The district also failed to establish how this use of last names prevented the students from learning effectively. 

Does This Represent an Undue Hardship?

The trial ahead will determine whether the teacher’s decision to use only last names represents an “undue hardship.” One has to wonder how anyone could classify the simple use of a last name as a major disruption or hardship, although the school district will undoubtedly try to do so. Premier Christian News expects this case to go to trial. 

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an undue hardship must significantly increase the difficulty levels or expenses for employers. A 2023 case increased the burden for employers, who previously only needed to show that a slight burden or cost had occurred. 

Perhaps most importantly, an undue hardship is more than just a “trifling” inconvenience. The use of a last name hardly fits into this category, especially since this case involves the accurate names of the students in question rather than demeaning insults. 

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various lawsuits test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.