Federal appeals court strikes down Ohio school district’s “preferred pronouns” rule The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that Ohio’s Olentangy Local School District cannot force students or staff to use transgender classmates’ preferred pronouns, declaring such mandates unconstitutional “viewpoint discrimination.” The court emphasized that while schools may encourage politeness, they cannot legally suppress dissenting beliefs about biological sex, upholding free speech protections under the First Amendment. Republican-appointed judges supported the ruling, while Democratic-appointed Judge Jane Stranch dissented, arguing schools should adapt to evolving social norms, highlighting the partisan split on compelled speech. The decision could impact similar policies nationwide, with…