Bismarck, North Dakota: Concerned Women for America (CWA) of North Dakota is shocked Gov. Doug Burgum vetoed a bill regarding public employee and public school pronoun policies. Of great concern is the Governor’s disregard for school policies, which would prohibit school employees from telling a student’s parents their child’s “transgender status.” 

It is an infringement on a teacher’s right to free speech and the free exercise of religion to require a teacher to use a student’s “preferred pronoun.” Policies that require a student to be referred to by a gendered language different from the student’s biological sex violate the belief that God assigns sex at conception and is a conflict for those unwilling to compromise their beliefs.

CWA of North Dakota State Director Linda Thorson has this to say: “It is parents, not school officials, who love and know their children best. No policy should ever be in place without the consultation of parents regarding the use of their child’s name or pronoun. This bill protects the rights of teachers and, more importantly, the rights of parents. We are hopeful our legislators vote to support SB 2231 and override the Governor’s misguided veto.”