A Christian music teacher in Indiana has been given the green light to pursue a lawsuit against his former school after refusing to use transgender students' chosen names due to his religious beliefs.

John Kluge, a former teacher at Brownsburg High School near Indianapolis, said that using names and pronouns that did not align with students’ biological sex would violate his Christian conscience.

Initially, the school allowed him to refer to students by their last names only—a compromise he described as being “like a sports coach.”

However, that accommodation was later withdrawn following complaints from students and staff.

Kluge was told he must use first names or face dismissal. He chose to resign and subsequently filed a lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from religious discrimination in the workplace.

This week, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s earlier decision to dismiss the case, ruling 2–1 that the school district had not proven that Kluge’s use of last names disrupted the learning environment or caused harm to students.

Judge Michael Brennan, writing for the majority, cited a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that strengthened workplace protections for religious employees. He stated that the school had not demonstrated that Kluge’s approach created “serious disruption” or imposed an undue hardship.

The dissenting judge argued that the school had already attempted to accommodate Kluge’s beliefs and acted appropriately when the arrangement became unworkable.

Kluge is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian legal advocacy group. ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman said: “We look forward to proving in court that the school punished Mr. Kluge simply for holding Christian beliefs.”

The case is expected to proceed to trial.