LGBT

University of Louisville Pays $1.6 Million in ‘Transgender’ Free Speech Case

University of Louisville agreed to pay almost $1.6 million in a lawsuit brought by Dr. Allan Josephson, a child psychiatrist who was fired for saying children with sexual identity confusion should not be treated with experimental, irreversible, body-damaging drugs, hormones and surgeries.

The settlement came six years after Josephson filed a lawsuit against the school because “the university demoted, harassed and ultimately fired [him] for speaking out on the harms of ‘transitioning’ children,” as Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) explained in a press release.

It’s an important win for free speech and academic freedom.

Dr. Josephson responded to the victory, saying,

I’m glad to finally receive vindication for voicing what I know is true. Children deserve better than life-altering procedures that mutilate their bodies and destroy their ability to lead fulfilling lives.

In spite of the circumstances I suffered through with my university, I’m overwhelmed to see that my case helped lead the way for other medical practitioners to see the universal truth that altering biological sex is impossibly dangerous while acceptance of one’s sex leads to flourishing.

As reported by the Daily Citizen, Dr. Josephson was fired for running afoul of transgender activists after speaking in his personal capacity at a 2017 Heritage Foundation symposium, “Gender Dysphoria in Children: Understanding the Science and Medicine.”

He opposed so-called gender-affirming treatments which affirm a child’s sexual identity confusion, moving them along a trajectory toward harmful, disfiguring medical interventions like puberty blockers, opposite-sex hormones and surgeries. Instead, he advocated for compassionate, healing care for sexually confused children.

Josephson became a medical doctor in 1976 and was certified as a psychiatrist in 1982. The author and co-author of more than 42 articles and 24 books or book chapters, he had served more than thirty-five years at three state universities and never been the subject of any disciplinary action. He was hired in 2003 to head the University of Louisville’s Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology. ADF says he received excellent evaluations and “turned the division around, building a program that now has a national reputation.” 

Speaking at the Heritage symposium, Dr. Josephson said, “Gender dysphoria is a socio-cultural, psychological phenomenon, and cannot be fully addressed through medicine and surgery. Using these methods raises concerns that the real issue is not being treated.”

He went on to explain, “When someone complains of pain, medical professionals generally seek to understand what causes the pain. When that inquiry is not allowed in the gender dysphoria context, the well-being of children is short-circuited, preventing us from diagnosing pain accurately, and an opportunity for developmental progress is missed.”

In response, as ADF stated:

University officials – responding to demands from activists at the university’s LGBT Center – demoted him to the role of a junior faculty member and stripped him of his teaching duties. University officials then conspired to get him fired. …

In February 2019, the university announced that it would not renew his contract, terminating his employment at the university after nearly 15 years of distinguished service.

ADF filed a federal lawsuit on Dr. Josephson’s behalf, alleging that university officials violated his First Amendment rights, discriminating and retaliating against him because of his sensible, compassionate approach to children struggling with accepting their bodily sex.

The lawsuit stated that, as a participant in the symposium, Dr. Josephson spoke the truth about key issues regarding children’s sexual identity confusion, such as:

  • The notion that gender identity should trump chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, external genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics when classifying individuals as such is counter to medical science.
  • Children persistently, insistently, and consistently demand many things that are not good for them. A parent’s role is to resist these demands when parental wisdom trumps children’s limited life experience.

The University of Louisville fought the complaint, but in 2024 an appeals court ruled in Josephson’s favor, saying his case against university officials who violated his freedom of speech could move forward.

The school finally decided to settle rather than keep on fighting.

ADF Senior Counsel Travis Barham said of the agreement, saying, “After several years, free speech and common sense have scored a major victory on college campuses.”

As early as 2014, Dr. Josephson saw the truth behind dangerous procedures that activists were pushing on children struggling with their sex. He risked his livelihood and reputation to speak the truth boldly, and the university punished him for expressing his opinion – ultimately by dismissing him. But public universities have no business punishing professors simply because they hold different views.

Barham explained that Dr. Josephson’s views have been vindicated by “the latest and best science,” which confirms that medicalizing a mental disorder is harmful. He stated:

Hopefully, other public universities will learn from this that if they violate the First Amendment, they can be held accountable, and it can be very expensive.

Related Articles and Resources:

Child Psychiatrist Wins Free Speech Victory – Case Moves Forward

Counseling for Sexual Identity Concerns: A Measured, Careful, and Compassionate approach 

Expert in ‘Transitioning’ Children Admits ‘We Were Wrong’ About Puberty Blockers

Focus on the Family: Transgender Resources

Helping Children with Gender Identity Confusion 

Important New Journal Article Calls Out Doctors for Harming Youth with Medicalized Gender Ideology

New Video Equips Parents and Counselors to Help ‘Gender Dysphoric’ Children

Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria – Researcher’s Work Vindicated

U.K.’s Review of Child Gender Policy Reveals Profound Failures That U.S. Still Defends

University Professor Fired for Espousing Compassionate, Healing Treatment for Gender-Confused Children

Image credit: ADF

Oppose Colorado’s Radical Abortion and ‘Transgender Rights’ Legislation

There are currently two pieces of radical legislation that would force taxpayers to pay for abortions and threaten parental rights. Focus on the Family needs our Colorado friends to stand firm against these two bills.

Abortion Bill

First, an extreme abortion bill – HB25-183 – has already been passed by the Colorado State Assembly and is awaiting Governor Jared Polis’ signature.

If signed, HB25-183 would:

  • Require the state to cover abortions as part of its Medicaid services.
  • Force Colorado taxpayers to spend millions of dollars every year paying for abortions against their consciences.

The fiscal note on this measure estimates abortions will cost taxpayers $5.9 million in the first year.

After passing the Colorado abortion amendment last fall, abortion activists are more brazen than ever in building Colorado’s reputation as an abortion destination state, and they want to force Colorado taxpayers to pay for it.

Daily Citizen reported this last month when a pro-abortion lawmaker gave shocking testimony, arguing it’s cheaper for the state to pay for abortions than pay for that baby to be born.

Please contact Governor Polis and urge him to veto HB25-183 to protect preborn babies, their mothers and the conscience rights of millions of Coloradans who do not support abortion.

“Transgender Rights” Bill

Second, a radical “transgender rights” bill – HB25-1312 – threatens parental rights and free speech.

If passed, HB25-1312 would:

  • Threaten parental rights by compelling parents to affirm their minor child’s gender confusion or potentially lose custody.
  • Threaten free speech by forcing schools and businesses to have gender-affirming policies or be sued for discrimination.

The bill unconstitutionally limits free speech, religious freedom and parents’ rights to provide for the care, nurturing, and moral and religious upbringing of their children.

It forces parents to support dangerous, experimental drugs, hormones and surgeries for their children struggling with sexual identity confusion.

This extreme measure would turn Colorado into a “trans-sanctuary.”

Erin Lee, a Colorado mom and the Executive Director of Protect Kids Colorado told the Daily Citizen:

CO HB 25-1312, on its face, is a blatantly unconstitutional violation of free speech and parental rights. What I find especially dangerous is defining non-affirmation of gender confusion as “coercive control” and allowing the courts to use it against parents. They are essentially bullying parents into transitioning their children, or else lose them.

Parents have long been bullied by the suicide myth, that you must transition your child or else they will kill themself. Now the state is adding to that: Transition your child or else we will take them from you. It fortifies our status as a wrong-sex mutilation sanctuary state, encouraging more people to move here and transition their children.

To learn more read the Daily Citizen’s analysis of the bill.

HB25-1312 has already passed the House and will now be considered by the Senate.

Urge your senator to vote no, and please consider testifying – in writing, remotely or in-person – against the bill when it goes before a Senate committee soon.

Please contact your state senator and the governor today to oppose these extreme measures.

We need your bold voice to defend life, parental rights and free speech.

Image from Shutterstock.

Attorney General Pam Bondi Sues Maine for Title IX Violations

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a civil lawsuit against Maine’s Department of Education, charging the state with “discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports.”

In a news briefing, Bondi had some strong words about the Maine Department of Education for violating Title IX, part of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in education.

The Attorney General stated,

Today, the Department of Justice is announcing a civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education. The state of Maine is discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports.

Pretty basic stuff. This is a violation of Title IX. The Department of Justice will not sit by when women are discriminated against in sports. This is about sports.

This is also about these young women’s personal safety.

Bondi introduced several female athletes at the news briefing, “Fencer Zoe Hutchison, a Maine athlete. Cassidy Carlisle, a Maine athlete and my dear friend – you all know Riley Gaines, who has been a champion on this issue for women.”  

The announcement came after the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights investigated the Maine Department of Education for allowing males to compete in girls and women’s sports.

Also present were Secretary of Education Linda McMahon; Linnea Saltz, a track athlete and advocate for women’s sports; Stephanie Turner, who received a year-long suspension from fencing after refusing to compete against a male athlete; and  Representative Laurel Libby who is suing the Maine State House after it barred her from speaking or voting – all because she spoke out against a male athlete who won the state girls pole vaulting championship. 

The DOE found the state’s education department, along with the Maine Principal’s Association and Greely High School, had discriminated against female athletes, violating Title IX prohibitions.

The U.S. education department proposed actions that the Maine Department of Education could take to repair the damage, such as directing public schools to follow Title IX or risk losing funding, acknowledging there are only two sexes, segregating bathrooms and locker rooms based on sex, and stopping boys from competing in girls sports.

Maine refused to comply, so the DOE referred the matter to the Department of Justice.

In February, Governor Janet Mills doubled down on the state’s discrimination against girls and women.

When asked whether her state would follow President Donald Trump’s executive order protecting girls and women’s sports, the governor replied the state was “complying with state and federal laws.”

President Trump disagreed, responding, “We are the federal law. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.” 

Mills then replied that she would see Trump in court.

So she’s getting her wish.

Following the press conference, Education Secretary McMahon clarified for CNN’s Kasie Hunt exactly why males don’t belong in female sports,

Title IX was established to protect women, to allow them to compete in sports on a level playing field. What has happened now with transgenders, whether it‘s one or two, 22 dozen, or 100 … when you start with one, that deprives females – from getting a slot for a scholarship or a slot on the team – or getting beaten out in the competition simply because they‘re competing against a male.

She added, “It is just totally unfair, and it’s against the law. It is absolutely against federal law.”

McMahon told Hunt about the pain that girl athletes felt when, after years of pain, effort, training and practice, they lost to a male athlete. She reiterated that Title IX is a federal law that is being violated – not just a presidential executive order.

Then she explained basic biology to the CNN host, who seemed more concerned about the sexually confused males than the girls harmed by their actions,

There are two sexes. There‘s male and female. So transgender doesn‘t have a play in this. You’re born a boy, you‘re a boy. You‘re born a girl, you‘re a girl.

So even with puberty blocking hormones, etc., males are still stronger. Their structure is different. They can perform very differently in competition. We have to respect and understand that and give women the rights that they have under this title nine.

It’s unclear exactly why leftist politicians and media hosts have subscribed to gender ideology – a dogma that sexualizes and confuses girls and boys, harming them and their families.

Thankfully, there is a growing pushback against the incoherent, illogical gender theory which asserts that people can change into the opposite sex, there are an infinitude of “genders,” and bodily sex can be separated from “gender identity.”

Bondi stated strongly that she will continue to fight for girls and women, and she applauded the young women and parents who are battling injustice.

Related Articles and Resources

CNN Demonstrates Logical Incoherence in Contemporary Gender Theory

Department of Education Launches Multiple Investigations Into Title IX Violations

Department of Justice Launches Title IX Task Force to Protect Women’s Sports

Five Terrible, No-Good, Fatal Flaws of Gender Theory

Maine Schools Violated Title IX, Must Apologize, Feds Say

On 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Groups Fight to Protect Women’s Sports

Pam Bondi Pledges to End ‘Partisan Weaponization’ of Department of Justice

Poll Finds Majority of Americans Want Transgender Athletes to Play on Team of Birth Sex

Trump Signs Executive Order Protecting Women’s Sports and Spaces

What is “Gender Identity”?

UK Court Demonstrates It Knows What a Woman Is, Clarifying British Law

The newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court infamously could not answer what a woman is, but the United Kingdon’s highest court declared today that it is very clear on the matter. The British Supreme Court stated, “The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.”

The defining statement in the U.K. court’s decision appears on page 3, stating,

The central question on this appeal is whether the EA 2010 treats a trans woman with a GRC [gender recognition certificate] as a woman for all purposes within the scope of its provisions, or when that Act speaks of a “woman” and “sex” it is referring to a biological woman and biological sex [emphasis added].

Members of the court all landed on the biological definition, rejecting the new elastic definition used by gender ideology.

This is a landmark decision for gender-realists who root their view of what it means to be human as male or female in objective biological reality. Politico explains, “The ruling could have far-reaching implications for the provision of single-sex spaces and other gender-specific public services across Scotland, England and Wales.”

The court explained, “The principal question which the court addresses on this appeal is the meaning of the words which Parliament has used in the EA 2010 in legislating to protect women and members of the trans community against discrimination.”

They further explain, saying, “Our task is to see if those words [to denote woman] can bear a coherent and predictable meaning” within British law.

This consequential decision resulted from a lengthy and detailed challenge from three bold Scottish women working with the organization For Women Scotland which defines itself as “a group of women from across Scotland working to protect and strengthen women and children’s rights.”

J.K. Rowling, a fearless defender of common sense for what a woman is, posted the following celebration of the decision, saying she is “so proud to know you” referring to the “three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women” who fought for this landmark decision.

One anonymous commenter to Rowling’s post summed up the consequences of this decision as well as anyone,

When Parliament fled, when media lied, when cowards hid behind slogans, three Scottish women stood their ground. And they won.

This wasn’t just a legal victory. It was a cultural exorcism. The spell is broken: a woman is an adult human female. Full stop.

Rowling’s right to be proud. The rest of the political class should be ashamed it ever came to this.

A cultural exorcism indeed. Now, if only other legal bodies across the globe would follow this common sense reasoning.

Related Articles and Resources

Advanced Stanford University Research Further Documents Fact of Male-Female Brain

What Are Male and Female in God’s Story?

Why Focus on the Family Cares About the Gender Issue?

Why Christians Can’t Avoid the “Trans” and Gender Redefinition Issue

Yes, Sexuality and Gender Are Undeniable Gospel Issues

How the “Trans” and Gender Redefinition Issue Attacks the Family

Even Hard-Boiled Evolutionists are Standing Strong Against Gender Madness

Addressing Gender Identity with Honesty and Compassion

Common Spirit Denied Teen Boy Medical Care After Parents Objected to Doctor’s Bizarre Questions

Multi-state health conglomerate Common Spirit refused to serve a Colorado Springs family after parents objected to a doctor’s inappropriate and ideologically driven questions.

Melissa and her husband, Carlos, are no strangers to the medical system’s disregard for parent’s rights. The devout Christian couple shuttled their four children to doctor’s appointments in several different states during Carlos’ more than 20-year military career.

So, when thirteen-year-old Ricardo needed a physical to play football, the couple gave him a heads up.

“I just asked, ‘Hey, if they ask you if they want us to leave the room, are you comfortable with that?’” Melissa explained.

Years earlier, in Virginia, doctors had asked one of their daughters if she was sexually active or used drugs — after asking Melissa to leave the room.

“She didn’t really know what to say,” she recalled her daughter’s hesitance to answer questions alone. “[But] our children [are used] to respecting their elders, so she just said, ‘Okay.’”

When Ricardo said he would be uncomfortable talking to the doctor alone, Carlos and Melissa helped him prepare to say so. Forewarned and forearmed, they hoped their respectful, shy son would feel free to be honest in a way their daughter had not.  

Melissa and Carlos’ forethought paid off; the doctor, a Common Spirit employee, asked them to leave the room before she’d finished Ricardo’s physical. According to Melissa, it wasn’t much of a question:

She said, “Okay, at this point, I’m going to ask your parents to leave.” She didn’t even give him a choice, give us a choice. She made it sound like, “I’m telling you what to do.”

Ricardo’s parents say they were proud and thankful when he politely declined to speak to the doctor alone, despite her obvious disapproval. 

“You could tell she was annoyed by that,” Melissa remembered. “But she said, ‘Okay, I’m going to proceed with my questions.’”

The doctor asked Ricardo, “What gender do you identify as?”

Melissa says she and her husband locked eyes, baffled:

We just kind of looked at each other like, “Wow, that was not a question we heard a few years ago with our daughter.” Things had clearly evolved.

Ricardo was similarly confused. How did his doctor, who had already begun his exam, not know his sex.

“I’m a boy,” he answered, half giggling.

So far, Melissa told the Daily Citizen, she had kept her cool. But then the doctor asked, “What gender are you attracted to?”

“I felt like this was the proper time to speak up. It’s totally inappropriate,” Melissa said. She asked the doctor what her questions had to do with Ricardo’s appointment.

I said, “I’m his mother and I’ve never even asked him these questions — why do you get to ask them?”

Carlos pressed the issue.

I just asked, “Okay, where is this going? [What’s the point?]”
She said, “Well, we want to know if there is sexual and physical abuse.”
Well, then wouldn’t that be the first question out of your mouth?

He believes the conversation could have proceeded much differently under different circumstances.

“If we weren’t in the room, and [Ricardo] were to say he was a member of the opposite sex, then what?” he argued. “What’s the next line of questioning? Are you going to offer [opposite-sex] hormone therapy?”

Common Spirit’s website does not clearly offer “gender-affirming” care. It does, however, financially support organizations that serve the “LGBTQIA+ community.” The website boasts several other phrases commonly associated with gender ideology, including “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” and “social justice.”

After Melissa and Carlos’ vociferous objections, the doctor left the room, claiming a nurse would return to finish Ricardo’s physical. She soon reappeared, absent a nurse, and said,

I’m no longer comfortable with this appointment, and I don’t think we [Common Spirit] are the right fit for you.

She didn’t even finish Ricardo’s exam.

Melissa called the appointment violating.

“I just felt so violated as mother,” she said. “She violated my values. It was just so wrong in so many ways.”

She continued, heartfelt,

I didn’t have the luxury of a mom and dad. It’s so disheartening to me that, here I am, able to give that to my children, and it’s frowned upon. It’s really sad.

A Common Spirit patient advocate later told the family that the doctor’s line of questioning was unusual, particularly for a routine exam. After promising to bring their case to the higher-ups, she never contacted Melissa or Carlos again.

As far as Melissa knows, the doctor, a bilingual Spanish speaker, is still practicing. She worries about the power the doctor can exercise over Spanish-speaking Christians and their families.

“We’re Latino. In our culture, we have a high respect for doctors almost immediately,” she explained. “If a non-English speaker were to bring her son to a well check, like me, she would more then likely step out of the room if the doctor asked.”

The couple advises parents to prepare themselves, and their kids, to establish firm boundaries in the doctor’s office — because they may be pushed.

We don’t want parents to walk out of an appointment feeling violated, like we did. I’ve started letting a lot of parents know that if you have a son and are going in for a 12-year-old well check or physical, these are the kinds of questions you are going to be asked.

They suggest parents ask kids whether they feel comfortable talking to a doctor alone before heading to the appointment. Given time to prepare themselves, they are more likely to be honest about wanting parents in the room.

If a child says they don’t mind talking to a doctor alone, Melissa says parents should be ready to begin intentional conversations about sex and gender.

You want to be the one to have those conversations with them, instead of a school or a doctor telling them before you’ve even had the opportunity. It’s unfortunate that we have to have these conversations so young. But I think if you don’t tell them, someone will rob you of that and do it themselves.

Melissa and Carlos’ experience should inspire parents to proactively protect their kids from gender ideology. Focus on the Family and its allies have resources to help you do just that. Click on the links below to learn more.

Additional Articles and Resources

Equipping Parents for Back to School

Enfoque a la Familia

FOTF: Transgender Resources

Parent Resource Guide: Responding to the Transgender Issue

Protect Your Kids from ‘Trans’ Activism — Look for These Red Flags

Child’s Online Medical Records Hidden from Virginia Mom

‘Art Club’ Documentary — One Family’s Escape from Gender Ideology, and the Bigger Trend Sweeping the Nation

Exclusive Interview: Colorado Parents Expose ‘Gender Cult’ at Public School in New Documentary