rights
A school fired an intersex teacher because a parent thought he was trans. Now he's fighting back.
By Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation
· June 20, 2026
· 5 min read
A teacher hired by a Florida school was forced by the superintendent to either resign or be fired (with no reason given) after only three weeks. Now, Shepherd Scalf is filing a discrimination complaint with the ACLU, alleging that the district thought he was trans because he’s intersex. “Receiving t
Key takeaway Everything had been going so well — I couldn’t understand why this was happening,” said Shepard Scalf in a statement.
Why this matters
The case of Shepherd Scalf highlights the complexities of discrimination faced by intersex individuals, who often fall outside the traditional binary understandings of male and female. Scalf's experience demonstrates how misconceptions about intersex identity can lead to wrongful termination, as he was allegedly fired due to the school district's assumption that he was trans. This incident also underscores the need for greater awareness and education about intersex issues, particularly in workplaces and institutions. The fact that Scalf was forced to resign without being given a reason for his dismissal raises concerns about the lack of protections for intersex employees in Florida. As the ACLU takes up Scalf's case, it will be important to watch how the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission responds to the complaint, and whether it will lead to greater recognition of intersex rights in the workplace. The outcome of this case may have implications for intersex individuals nationwide.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A teacher hired by a Florida school was forced by the superintendent to either resign or be fired (with no reason given) after only three weeks. Now, Shepherd Scalf is filing a discrimination complaint with the ACLU, alleging that the district thought he was trans because he’s intersex. “Receiving t
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .