Summary
The South Madison Community School Corporation in Indiana fired school counselor Kathy McCord, a 37-year veteran in the education field, for speaking about the school district’s gender identity policy. In August 2021, the school district adopted a policy that required counselors and other employees to use names and pronouns for students that do not correspond with their sex, without requiring parental notification or consent. In some cases, it even required employees to hide these new names and pronouns from parents.
Case Timeline
- September 2021: Kathy was required to attend a training where she was told about a new school policy requiring her to use cross-gender names and pronouns and, in some cases, hide this from parents.
- December 2022: A journalist asked to meet with Kathy after he learned about the policy. Kathy confirmed details he had already obtained.
- March 2023: After a series of meetings, South Madison’s school board voted to fire Kathy for speaking to the journalist.
- May 2023: ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on Kathy’s behalf.
- April 2026: The school district agreed to pay $195,000 in damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs in order to settle the lawsuit.
