Franklin Graham speaks out on Oregon transgender teacher who sued for being 'misgendered' by co-workers

Chiqui Guyjoco Saturday, May 28, 2016

Rev. Franklin Graham reacts to the news of an Oregon transgender teacher who claimed to be "misgendered" and subsequently received a $60,000 compensation after filing a complaint against co-workers.

Franklin Graham speaks during a tour of the Billy Graham Library before a dedication service on the campus of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 31, 2007. | REUTERS / Chris Keane

The evangelical preacher and CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association shared his opinion on his Facebook page on Thursday, May 26 about the news reported by Breitbart.

"Doesn't a person's DNA or birth certificate count for anything? Shouldn't fact override fantasy? God created people male and female," Graham wrote.

He also called the news "incredible" and urged his social media followers who share his opinion to share his post.

According to the article by Breitbart released on Tuesday, May 24, a fifth grade teacher at Gresham-Barlow School in Oregon named Leo Seoll, who came out as transgender last September, issued a complaint against her co-workers whom she claimed continually called her in the wrong gender pronouns of "she," "lady," and "Miss Seoll." She also claimed that the staff tried to stop her from using the school's gender-neutral bathroom.

Although officials investigating the complaint did not find any wrongdoing, the school nevertheless decided to compensate her with $60,000 for emotional damages. The district officials also decided to introduce gender-neutral bathrooms in all of its local schools.

Heidi Lasher, the school's principal, reiterated in an email to the staff the school's transgender policies. She wrote in her email that the policies "require that all staff address transgender or gender non-conforming employees with their correct name and pronouns."

Lasher warned, "If you are found to be in violation of these policies, you will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal."

"I actually feel safe now. There will always be people who push the boundaries, but I'm not worried about them anymore because I know that my district supports me," Seoll was quoted by Breitbart after the settlement.