Lawsuit Alleges Demotion for Criticizing Republicans and Defending "The Genderbread Person" in Palm Beach County Schools
The Genderbread Person is a visual tool that is used in some sex education curriculums to help teach concepts related to gender and sexuality. The tool features a simple illustration of a person and labels different aspects such as physical characteristics, identity, attraction and expression. It is intended to help students understand the complexity of gender and sexuality, and promote inclusivity and acceptance of diverse experiences. While some people consider it an effective teaching tool, others argue that it promotes a certain political agenda or is age-inappropriate. The use of the Genderbread Person has been a topic of controversy in some communities.
LAWSUIT: Palm Beach Schools Employee ALLEGEDLY Demoted for Defending "The Genderbread Person"
January 20, 2023
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A Palm Beach County School District employee is alleging in a federal lawsuit that she was demoted after she criticized Republicans on social media and questioned the superintendent's decision to banish "The Genderbread Person," a school-board-approved sex education poster.
Diana Fedderman, a career educator with 27 years of experience in the district, is suing the school district and Superintendent Michael Burke on counts for violations of her First Amendment right to free speech and rights under the Whistleblower Act.
"This is an action by Diana Fedderman, a career educator in the Palm Beach County School District who in her private life is unabashedly vocal about her progressive political views," the lawsuit states. "Superintendent Burke, a Republican, demoted her from assistant superintendent in the division of teaching and learning to a do-nothing assignment in a job that had not been staffed for years."
The lawsuit claims that a few weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis' December 2021 announcement of the "Stop Woke Act," which limits how the topic of systemic racism is taught in public schools, Fedderman tweeted, "Republicans are decimating public education. It is time to act. Vote local."
The lawsuit claims Burke called Fedderman days later when he first learned of her post during his visit to Tallahassee. He allegedly informed her the post was a "topic of conversation among legislators," including Republican State Rep. Mike Caruso, who represents parts of Palm Beach County.
"Representative Caruso, Superintendent Burke told Fedderman, had also told him that he was going to take [the] post to Gov. DeSantis," the complaint reads. "While Burke acknowledged during the phone call that he could not order Fedderman to take the tweet down, and said that he was not asking her to do so, he mentioned that people reading her tweets were conflating her public and private personas."
Fedderman says she decided to delete the post because she felt "intimidated by the after-hours phone call." Burke thanked her taking down the tweet, she says.
Fedderman's supervisor later emailed her on May 4, advising that Burke wanted her to immediately remove the teaching tool "The Genderbread Person" from a sex education class for high school seniors, according to the lawsuit. The poster, which features a simply drawn gingerbread figure, is designed to teach concepts of biological sex, gender identity, attraction, and gender expression.
During a March press conference tied to the signing of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, Governor DeSantis held up a Genderbread Person poster superimposed with the title "Found in Florida." Claiming the poster was being taught to "very young kids," the governor used it to justify the bill, which prohibits classroom discussions about sexuality and gender identity in public schools before fourth grade.
Because the Genderbread Person had been approved by the school board, Fedderman says she was concerned that removing it from the high school curriculum would violate a state law that mandates annual board approval for sex education materials.
"I am concerned that the board approved this curriculum, and now we are changing it without the board's knowledge nor vote. However, I will do as instructed," Fedderman wrote to her supervisor.
At Fedderman's urging, one of the school district's attorneys reviewed the request to get rid of the Genderbread Person. Fedderman claims that although the lawyer agreed the school board should be consulted before making a decision, Burke insisted on the removal of the poster from the curriculum.
Arguments for Using "The Genderbread Person" in Education:
It is an effective tool for teaching concepts of biological sex, gender identity, attraction, and gender expression.
It promotes inclusivity and understanding of the diverse experiences of gender and sexuality.
It helps to create a safe and accepting environment for all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
It can help to reduce discrimination and bullying based on gender and sexual identity.
It aligns with best practices in sex education as recommended by leading health organizations.
Arguments Against Using "The Genderbread Person" in Education:
It promotes a political agenda that some parents and community members disagree with.
It is viewed as age-inappropriate for some students, particularly younger children.
It is not necessary as the subject is too sensitive to discuss with children.
It confuses children about their own identities.
It's not the role of the schools to teach about gender and sexuality.
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What is your stance on the use of "The Genderbread Person" in education? Do you believe it is an effective tool for teaching concepts of gender and sexuality or do you disagree with its use in the classroom? Share your thoughts and reasons for your position in the comments section below.