FreeState Justice commends last week’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirming that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) may require staff to respect transgender students’ pronouns and protect student privacy. The decision upholds long-standing principles that schools have both the authority and the responsibility to provide safe, inclusive learning environments for all students, including transgender and nonbinary youth. In a 2–1 decision issued on January 28th, the Fourth Circuit upheld a lower court’s denial of a request by a substitute teacher seeking an exemption from MCPS guidelines that require staff to use students’ affirmed names and pronouns and prohibit disclosure of a student’s transgender status without consent. The court found that the district’s policy applies equally to all educators and is not motivated by religious hostility or discrimination. “This ruling affirms what LGBTQ+ students and their families have always known: respect is not optional, and student safety must come first,” said Phillip Westry, Executive Director at FreeState Justice. “Transgender students deserve to be recognized for who they are at school—without fear that their identity will be questioned, disclosed, or debated.” The court’s decision means the plaintiff will not be permitted to teach in MCPS schools without complying with district policy. This case marks the second time in recent years that the Fourth Circuit has addressed MCPS policies impacting LGBTQ+ students. While the Supreme Court reversed a separate 2024 decision involving parental opt-outs from LGBTQ+-inclusive classroom materials, last week’s ruling makes clear that schools may continue to require staff to respect transgender students’ identities and safeguard their privacy. FreeState Justice remains committed to advocating for policies that protect the dignity, safety, and rights of LGBTQ+ Marylanders—especially young people—so they can live and learn free from discrimination.

As Featured In the Washington Blade, written by Sam Epner FreeState Justice this week spoke with the Washington Blade about their priorities during this year’s legislative session in Annapolis that began on Jan. 14. Ronnie L. Taylor, the group’s community director, on Wednesday said the organization continues to fight against discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. FreeState Justice is specifically championing a bill in the General Assembly that would expand access to PrEP in Maryland. Taylor said FreeState Justice is working with state Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince George’s County) and state Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Arundel and Howard Counties) on a bill that would expand the “scope of practice for pharmacists in Maryland to distribute PrEP.” The measure does not have a title or a number, but FreeState Justice expects it will have both in the coming weeks. FreeState Justice has long been involved in the fight to end the criminalization of HIV in the state. Governor Wes Moore last year signed House Bill 39, which decriminalized HIV in Maryland. The bill — the Carlton R. Smith Jr. HIV Modernization Act — is named after Carlton Smith, a long-time LGBTQ activist known as the “mayor” of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood who died in 2024. FreeState Justice said Marylanders prosecuted under Maryland Health-General Code § 18-601.1 have already seen their convictions expunged. Taylor said FreeState Justice will continue to “oppose anti anti-LGBTQ legislation” in the General Assembly. Their website later this week will publish a bill tracker. The General Assembly’s legislative session is expected to end on April 13.