3Stories - March 16, 2026

John Kluge used to teach music at Brownsburg High School in Indiana.  That is, until he made a decision based on his religious convictions to address students in a manner consistent with their biological sex, and not to address them according to their felt gender identity.  That's according to an Alliance Defending Freedom website, which relates that, "He initially reached an agreement with school officials in 2017 that would allow him to address students by their last name—like a coach—but after a few students and teachers complained, Brownsburg announced a new policy that rejected all religious accommodations, revoked its accommodation for Kluge, and forced him to resign."

In a lawsuit filed by ADF against the school district, it contended that the school's action was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  Last August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit sent the case to a jury trial, consistent with the findings in Groff v. DeJoy. Faced with that prospect, the school district decided to settle the case at a cost of $650,000 to the taxpayers of the district.  Included in the settlement, according to ADF: "Brownsburg will also train its senior staff on how Title VII protects religious employees against discrimination."

There is an emerging thread in which you have lawmakers who want to remove children from homes because the parents don't affirm the child's so-called "gender identity." Recently, the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to Focus on the Family's Daily Citizen website, "... sent a letter to all 50 states reminded them that 'state child welfare agencies must base child removal decisions on objective evidence of abuse or imminent risk of harm' under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act."  ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams, is quoted from a statement: “Parents have the right to raise their children according to their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions.”

The article mentioned that the need for the letter is apparent - Colorado lawmakers have attempted for two years to pass legislation to this effect.  California lawmakers have introduced similar legislation.  And, children have been removed from homes in multiple states across the country.  The article notes: "The agency said it 'will continue to monitor states’ compliance with federal child welfare requirements' and 'ensure federal funds are used consistent with the law.'”

Malta is an island nation in the Mediterranean sea - we read about in the Bible in Acts 28 as the site of a shipwreck experienced by the apostle Paul.  And, freedom of speech has apparently been shipwrecked there - as CBN.com reports, in 2016, the nation passed a law that would ban any attempts to change someone's sexual orientation of gender identity.

Matthew Grech actually experienced a heart change through Jesus Christ and departed the gay lifestyle.  He began speaking out about what had happened.  The article relates:

“I was invited to share my story on a program and answer questions about so-called conversion practices,” Grech previously told CBN News. “And I mentioned an organization … that supports men and women who leave LGBT and an organization that promotes a biblical sexuality.”

Because the organization he mentioned helps assist men and women who have “unwanted same-sex desires” or “unwanted gender confusion,” he landed himself in the crossfire.

After three people reported Grech to police, he found himself in a legal quagmire. Grech remains deeply concerned about free speech rights in Malta and what he sees as a troubling erosion of basic liberties.

He faced possible jail time and fines, but his three-year court battle has finally come to an end.  The CBN article notes that Grech "...was acquitted March 4 by the Malta Magistrates Court after being brought up on charges of advertising conversion practices."  He would like to see that ban in Malta revoked and believe that people should have the right to speak freely on the issue.