Teacher Who Refused to ‘Call a Boy a Girl’ Now Spending Christmas Behind Bars
Christian teacher Enoch Burke, from County Mayo in Ireland, became the center of a nationwide controversy after refusing to use gender-affirming pronouns for a student. Burke, who has long been open about his commitment to traditional Christian beliefs, said that complying with the request would contradict his understanding of biblical teachings on creation, identity, and sexuality. For him, the issue was not merely about language, but about remaining faithful to convictions that shaped his worldview and his work as an educator.
The disagreement soon escalated into a formal conflict with the school. Administrators began internal disciplinary procedures, stating that Burke’s refusal to follow school policy created an inappropriate environment for the student involved. Burke, however, believed that the institution was asking him to compromise his faith and abandon what he saw as a fundamental truth rooted in Scripture. Because of this, he maintained that he had not acted out of disrespect but out of religious duty.
As tensions grew, the school suspended him while the investigation continued. Yet Burke continued to return to the school grounds, insisting that his conscience would not allow him to remain silent during what he described as “a critical moment for biblical values in education.” He argued that introducing gender ideology to children was harmful and inconsistent with both scientific reality and Christian doctrine. According to Burke, complying with the school’s directive would have meant endorsing something he fundamentally believed to be untrue.
In response, the school sought a legal injunction to prevent him from coming back onto the campus. A court then issued a binding order instructing Burke to stay away while the disciplinary process unfolded. But Burke, still convinced he was acting on moral and spiritual principles, chose to defy the order. His refusal to comply ultimately led to his arrest—a moment that sparked fierce public debate not only in Ireland but internationally.
Supporters hailed Burke as a man standing up for religious freedom, parental rights, and the integrity of Christian teachings, arguing that no one should be compelled to speak in a way that violates their conscience. Critics, on the other hand, insisted that schools must protect transgender students, uphold inclusive policies, and ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.
The case continues to resonate far beyond one school in Ireland, raising broader questions about how modern societies balance free speech, religious liberty, educational policy, and the rights of transgender students. For many, Enoch Burke has become a symbol in a wider cultural struggle—one that shows no signs of fading anytime soon.