Byron Cross is a gym teacher at Leesburg Elementary School in Loudoun, Virginia. Sadly, Cross may have taught his last lesson at the school following his refusal to lie to children. Speaking before the Loudoun County school board last week, Cross stated that he would not “affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa,” because children suffering from gender dysphoria need to be helped, not lied to.

Cross was speaking in response to the school district’s policy mandating that public school staff use a student’s preferred pronouns and “allow gender-expansive and transgender students to participate in such activities in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity.” In other words, deny reality.

“It’s not my intention to hurt anyone,” Cross insisted, “but there are certain truths that we must face when ready. We condemn school policies … [that] would damage children [and] defile the holy image of God.” He added, “I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. I’m a teacher, but I serve God first, and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa, because it’s against my religion, it’s lying to a child, it’s abuse to a child, and it’s sinning against our God.”

In making his case, Cross also noted the recent CBS “60 Minutes” program in which several young people who had “de-transitioned” from their “transgender” identity expressed their deep regret for having engaged in such drastic life-altering actions in the first place — without even being challenged to question such feelings.

Soon after Cross made his declaration, he was placed on administrative leave. The school’s principal gave no reason, vaguely asserting, “This involves a personnel matter. I can offer no further information.”

Perhaps Cross’s leave is a complete coincidence, but we doubt it. The sick reality of our culture today is simple: Telling basic and easily observable truths is deemed so controversial as to be forbidden. Such a society cannot long survive because it is a society in which human flourishing will quickly erode, leading to human misery and despair. Cross is exactly correct — truth must be faced, because the avoidance of it will only make the challenge that much harder and more painful.

How many children will needlessly suffer because too many adults who knew better refused to stand for truth? We commend Cross for standing for what is right and true, no matter the consequence, which at this point looks to be his job.