A public school teacher was fired after her refusal to comply with gender ideology policies of her Southern California school district, citing her Christian beliefs.  

Public school teacher, Jessica Tapia, was fired after her refusal to harm children by affirming the gender ideology policies of her Southern California school district, including the directives to lie to parents by hiding their children’s gender transitions, to allow transgender students to use the locker room and restroom of their choosing, to refrain from publicly sharing her faith beliefs on social media, and to abstain from sharing her biblical beliefs with students when approached with faith-based questions.  

Press Release | California Public School Teacher Fired For Her Religious Beliefs Settles With California School District

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 14, 2024

CONTACT: Jake Matthews
Jake@jlkpolitical.COM

Murrieta, CA - Last night, the Jurupa Unified School District Board approved a settlement agreement between Jessica Tapia and the Jurupa Unified School District to settle her lawsuit for $360,000. Last year, Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed a lawsuit challenging Jurupa Unified School District in the Central District of California after the wrongful termination of public school teacher Jessica Tapia for her religious beliefs. Her termination came after the school district refused to accommodate Jessica’s religious beliefs, which conflicted with the school district’s harmful policies, such as referring to students by their preferred pronouns and withholding information from parents regarding their child’s gender identity.

Advocates for Faith and Freedom and Jessica are joining forces to launch Teachers Don’t Lie, a campaign to support teachers of faith who are feeling the weight of the darkness that has infiltrated the education system. Teachers Don’t Lie aims to provide educators with a thorough understanding of their constitutional rights, as well as give options on how to respond to their school district when being asked to go against their sincerely held religious beliefs.

“Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” said Julianne Fleischer, legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “If the school district’s actions were legal, no teacher of faith would be qualified to serve as a public school teacher. Jessica’s story is one of faithful courage. She fought back to ensure her school district was held accountable and that no other teacher has to succumb to this type of discrimination.”

“What happened to me can happen to anybody, and I want the next teacher to know that it is worth it to take a stand for what is right,” said Jessica Tapia. “Across the country, we are seeing teachers' freedom of speech and religious liberty violated through policies that require them to forsake their morals. I want teachers to be confident in the fact that the best thing we can do for students is educate in truth, not deception. This is why I'm joining forces with Advocates for Faith and Freedom to launch Teachers Don’t Lie, a resource that will be committed to giving a voice of truth to teachers. I am confident that we are making progress to ensure that no teacher has their faith violated within schoolhouse gates again.”

Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

EMAIL INFO@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM TO RECEIVE PRESS RELEASES. ALSO, JOIN US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON OUR PROGRESS IN THIS CASE AND OTHERS.

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Press Release | California Public School Teacher Fired For Her Religious Beliefs Sues California School District

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

CONTACT: Jake Matthews
Jake@jlkpolitical.COM

Murrieta, CA – Today, a lawsuit was filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom challenging Jurupa Unified School District in Riverside, California after the wrongful termination of public school teacher, Jessica Tapia, for her religious beliefs. Her termination comes after Jessica’s refusal to participate in harmful gender affirming school policies, such as allowing students to use a bathroom or locker room that does not match their biological sex.

The Jurupa Unified School District mandates that teachers and support staff participate in gender affirming care that is deceptive to parents, endangers students in school changing rooms and bathrooms, and directs faculty and staff to refrain from expressing their personal views and opinions on these policies; a clear violation of their First Amendment Rights.

"People of faith should be allowed to maintain their personal beliefs without fear of losing their job,” said Mariah Gondeiro, Vice President and legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “Jessica Tapia was not dismissed for any wrongdoing, rather, she was dismissed for her Christian beliefs. This is a clear violation of our Constitutional rights. We need more educators like her who grasp the fact that parents are partners and the final arbiters of their children, not obstacles to work around. Jessica Tapia represents the values and integrity of educators across our country who are standing up for their beliefs, not backing down. We are proud to stand with Jessica and will continue to advocate for her and her values."

“What has happened to me can happen to anybody,” said Jessica Tapia. “My story is not just mine. It is the story of every teacher of moral and faith. It is the story of every parent whose first priority is protecting their children.”

Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

EMAIL INFO@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM TO RECEIVE PRESS RELEASES. ALSO, JOIN US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON OUR PROGRESS IN THIS CASE AND OTHERS.

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Click below to learn how Jessica’s story shaped the launch of “Teacher’s Don’t Lie”, a movement that equips teachers of faith by providing legal support, guidance on constitutional rights, and strategies for maintaining their convictions in the face of challenges to religious beliefs, aiming to ensure their presence in public education without compromising their principles.

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts.

Email info@faith-freedom.com to receive press releases. Also, join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our progress in this case and others.