A teacher in the US has been fired for refusing to change pronouns when referring to a transgender student. The teacher had taught the student as a girl last year, but this year she identifies as a boy.

The teacher sited his religious beliefs for not using the new pronouns. He did offer a compromise that meant using the students given name instead of any gendered pronouns. The school refused the reasonable offer.

ABC Action News reports, “Vlaming [the teacher] said he loves and respects all his students but when a solution he tried to reach based on "mutual tolerance" was rejected, he was at risk of losing his job for having views held by "most of the world for most of human history”. "That is not tolerance," Vlaming said. "That is coercion."

Kirralie Smith, Binary spokeswoman said this is very concerning. “The teacher has a valid belief that is held by most people. It is supported by facts and biological science. The school wants to compel Mr Vlaming to conform to the feelings of the student regardless of the facts.” Smith also noted, “The teacher offered up a reasonable solution and it was rejected. This reeks of activism and compulsion, not reason and compassion.”