Theatre Professor sues over requirement to use student’s they/them pronouns
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
Rather than respect students’ gender identity, a theatre professor in Utah is going as far as suing his college employer in order not to have to acknowledge they/them pronouns because he is “politically and educationally opposed” to it.
Yes, this is happening in 2022 in a theatre space.
Richard Bugg, a theatre professor at Southern Utah University. is suing university leaders after he was instructed to use they/them pronouns when referring to a nonbinary student or face sanctions, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed this week.
According to the lawsuit, a student asked Bugg to refer to them by the pronouns they use, which are they/them. Rather than respecting the request, Bugg told the student he would use “whatever singular pronouns or proper name [the student] preferred.”
The lawsuit goes on to say that Bugg found it “virtually impossible” to not misgender the student. This led the student to file a Title IX complaint with the university.
In response to the complaint, the university launched an investigation and in January 2022 found that Bugg’s alleged actions were in violation of university policy and constituted discrimination and harassment based on gender identity.
Later that year, the university further determined that Bugg’s refusal to use they/them pronouns also constituted sexual harassment, because it was considered “conduct based on sex” that was so severe and “objectively offensive” that it denied the student equal access to education.
The university imposed three sanctions on Bugg.
Bugg was required to take a course on gender-neutral language.
If he continued refusing to use the student’s pronouns, Bugg was told he may face termination.
His pay would be docked if the university had to open additional classes to accommodate students who wouldn’t register for his class.
In the lawsuit, Bugg said he is “opposed to the coercion of speech that is taking place on our campus and on most campuses.”
“Asking people to use plural pronouns to refer to individuals is one thing,” the complaint states. “Forcing them to do it is another and contrary to our rights of free speech.”
SUU responded to the lawsuit on Wednesday, issuing the following statement:
Richard Bugg
"Southern Utah University is aware of a complaint filed in federal court by Richard Bugg. While SUU has limits on what it can discuss when an issue involves personnel matters or students, SUU implements and follows its established policies based on the law. This includes a meaningful opportunity for all to be heard before a decision is made. The university strives to create an environment where meaningful learning is fostered without discrimination or substantial disruption. SUU looks forward to the opportunity to respond in court to the plaintiff's claims made at this preliminary stage of the lawsuit."
According to SUU's College of Performing Arts Undergraduate Student Handbook: "Students have the right to express their gender identity freely. The faculty are committed to creating a safe positive learning environment for each and every student. If a student would prefer that we use a specific gender pronoun, please let faculty know during class introductions, office hours, or by email."
This is also not the first time Bugg has created controversy with his views. According to a 2020 Facebook post, Bugg expressed “All Lives Matter” rhetoric rather than acknowledging racial inequality in law enforcement toward Black people.
He said, “When I am asked to say that I stand with Black Americans, I am a bit put off, because I want to stand with all people against any injustice. Yet to make such a statement is decried by these extremists as racist….Our youth are being taught to take offense at anything and everything they can, so that they can find supposed power by claiming victimhood.”
In the wake of the news of the lawsuit being filed, more accusations against Bugg are coming to light.
My take is this, theatre educators on every level should be doing everything they can to make each student they instruct feel seen and safe at their institutions. It’s unfortunate that Bugg seems to have no interest in doing that.
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.