A Virginia religious school is making headlines for their adamant insistence that a student conform to her ‘God-ordained [gender] identity.
Sunnie Kahle is an 8-year-old student who attended Timberlake Christian School in Timerlake, Virginia. She has short hair, wears sneakers and tshirts, and is an energetic, happy child. She attended the religious school until her grandparents, who adopted and raised her, received a letter from the principle of the K-8 school, according to LGBTQ Nation. The letter explicitly stated that Sunnie was a distraction to other students because they could not determine whether she was a boy or girl, which goes against the school’s guidelines.
"You're probably aware that Timberlake Christian School is a religious, Bible believing institution providing education in a distinctly Christian environment," the letter read in part. "We believe that unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education."
Following the letter, Sunnie’s grandparents, Doris and Carroll Thompson, removed her from the religious school and placed her in public school.
"How do you label a child, eight years old, or discriminate against an eight year old child? It just don't happen" the girl’s grandfather, Carroll Thompson, said, according to WSET.
The letter also states that administrators can, “refuse enrollment for condoning sexual immorality, practicing a homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity.” However, administrators have stated they have not accused Sunnie or her family of being anything or anyone. They simply want her to follow the school’s guidelines.
While it is seemingly a difficult concept for some, gender is a social construction and has nothing to do one’s physical sex. However, as individuals are born, certain expectations are put in place for the gender assigned to their sex.
The Thompsons have stated that they have no desire to re-enroll Sunnie in Thompson Christian School.
The enter letter is online and available to be read.