First-grade teacher allegedly disciplined for refusing to read LGBTQ book

A Nashville elementary college instructor claimed his job was threatened after he refused to learn a ebook about homosexual marriage to his younger college students.

Eric Rivera, who taught first grade at KIPP Antioch Faculty Prep Elementary, found a ebook on homosexual marriage that was within the language arts curriculum whereas getting ready for classes earlier this yr, in response to the authorized group First Liberty Institute.

First, Liberty stated Rivera, a Christian, didn’t really feel he might in good conscience learn the ebook to college students. On January 6, the day the ebook was to be learn, Rivera requested a colleague to learn it to his class whereas he watched.

Based on the group, Rivera was summoned to the principal’s workplace the subsequent day and threatened with dismissal. First Liberty stated Rivera was issued a “Closing Warning” letter accusing him of not “faithfully” instructing the curriculum and warning of additional self-discipline, “together with dismissal.” The letter additionally acknowledged {that a} copy of the discover could be positioned in his personnel file, the demand letter stated.

An individual waves an LGBTQ flag through the 2025 New York Metropolis Satisfaction March on June 29, 2025. (First Liberty/Noam Galai/Getty Pictures)

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First Liberty stated Rivera had obtained no prior warnings and had no self-discipline historical past. He then requested a non secular lodging however was as an alternative transferred to a laboratory and know-how place after which to a kindergarten place, the authorized group stated.

First Liberty despatched Principal Brittnee Kennedy a requirement letter on Tuesday, accusing KIPP Nashville Public Faculties of violating Rivera’s rights underneath the First Modification and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The letter stated Rivera instructed Kennedy he had discovered two books within the first-grade language arts curriculum that conflicted together with his spiritual beliefs, however he stated he might proceed instructing first grade if one other instructor learn the 2 books to his class.

A baby holds an indication as individuals supporting the best to choose their kids out of lessons with LGBTQ-related content material show outdoors the U.S. Supreme Courtroom, listening to oral arguments within the Mahmoud v. Taylor case, in Washington, DC, April 22, 2025. (Getty Pictures)

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“Nonetheless, the principal indicated that the idea in same-sex marriage is so basic to the language arts unit that Mr. Rivera couldn’t probably be permitted to show any a part of the unit and due to this fact must be faraway from the first-grade classroom,” the letter from First Liberty stated.

First Liberty additionally questioned whether or not KIPP met Tennessee’s necessities for parental discover and inspection rights for materials associated to sexual orientation or gender id. The letter acknowledged that the 2 books are listed within the “LGBTQ+ Books” class on Amazon and have appeared on or obtained awards from the American Library Affiliation’s “Rainbow E-book Record.”

“Each of the books that Mr. Rivera objected to require parental notification underneath Tennessee legislation, and to our information none has been supplied. Accordingly, based mostly on our understanding of KIPP’s practices, KIPP ought to assess whether or not it’s in compliance with its obligations to oldsters underneath Tennessee legislation and federal legislation,” the letter stated.

First Liberty says first-grade instructor Eric Rivera was given a “remaining warning” by directors after he requested a colleague to deal with the studying of a ebook on homosexual marriage. (First freedom)

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The demand letter asks the varsity to protect information, together with present curricula and paperwork associated to adoption and enforcement, “pending litigation.”

It additionally asks KIPP to take away the Jan. 7, 2025 “Closing Warning” letter from Rivera’s file, finish discrimination based mostly on spiritual beliefs and decide to accommodating spiritual workers who don’t wish to learn materials offensive to their religion, the letter stated.

“It is outrageous to ship the message: ‘Consider as we do or it should finish,’” Cliff Martin, senior advisor to First Liberty, instructed Fox Information Digital. “Academics don’t deny their faith or spiritual beliefs once they enter the classroom, nor can they be pressured to consider what their employers select.”

Principal Kennedy, KIPP Antioch Faculty Prep Elementary and KIPP Nashville Faculties Board didn’t instantly return Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.

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