Florida Suspends Trans Student's Mom

The mother of a transgender student athlete & employee of Monarch High School has been suspended for 10 days without pay by the Broward County School Board for allegedly violating the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Jessica Norton stated, “There is no way around it, I’m being punished because I am the parent of a transgender student. While I can finally breathe a sigh of relief that this 239-day investigation is finally over, ending the constant scrutiny & allowing me to keep my job, I am still frustrated with the decision the school board made. Every action I took to support my daughter was as her parent, not as an employee of Monarch High School—it was never my decision whether my daughter played volleyball.” Jason Starr, HRC Litigation Strategist concluded, “The board’s decision today continues to hold Mrs. Norton responsible for actions she was justified in taking as a parent. There is no question that throughout the course of this investigation, the Broward County School District has not only abdicated its responsibility to the safety & wellbeing of Mrs. Norton’s daughter, but has retaliated against an employee simply for advocating for their child. The LGBTQ+ inclusive policies that had become a foundational part of the culture of Broward County Schools have been completely abandoned—LGBTQ+ students & families are not safe in this school district & their treatment of the Norton’s have made that clear. The Human Rights Campaign will continue to support this family & fight on their behalf.”