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, an intersex teacher forced to resign from a Florida school, highlights the complexities of discrimination faced by intersex individuals in the workplace. Scalf's experience demonstrates how misconceptions about intersex people, often conflated with transgender individuals, can lead to adverse employment actions. The fact that Scalf was hired to teach Language Arts but was dismissed without cause just three weeks into the school year suggests that his intersex status may have been a factor in the superintendent's decision. This incident underscores the need for education and awareness about intersex issues, particularly in states like Florida where legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are limited. As Scalf files a discrimination complaint with the EEOC, his case may set a precedent for intersex individuals facing similar challenges in the workplace, and may also draw attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion programs in preventing such incidents.
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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 .