Stacy Adair, a teacher from Colorado, is facing a review after an anonymous complaint alleged her “XX ≠ XY” chromosome t-shirt promoted anti-transgender messaging. The incident occurred earlier this month during a professional development training event, an event without students present.
Adair, who was named teacher of the year at the 2025 Teacher Freedom Summit, stated that the complaint was anonymous and that no one voiced concerns during the event itself. She described the shirt as a statement of genetics, noting that many people might not understand its meaning.
A week after the training, Adair was called in, questioned about the shirt, and instructed to avoid wearing apparel with controversial messaging in the future. This reprimand has led Adair to fear for her job and anticipate increased scrutiny.
Ryan Walters, CEO of the Teachers Freedom Alliance, an organization that advocates for alternatives to teacher unions, believes Adair's situation reflects broader ideological conflicts within schools. Walters described her case as emblematic of pressure faced by teachers who challenge authority.
Adair's past activism includes efforts to reduce the influence of teacher unions in her district. In 2021, she was involved in a successful campaign to unseat two school board members supported by the union. Following this, the school district's contract with the teachers union lapsed without renewal.
Adair explained that the union contract had previously dictated aspects of district administration, requiring the union's approval for initiatives such as performance-based pay increases for teachers. She stated that the union, rather than the elected board, effectively controlled the district.
Adair also recounted instances of receiving veiled threats after opposing the union, including a threatening email from a local plumber that prompted a police report. Despite these experiences, Adair does not have direct evidence linking teachers' unions to the anonymous complaint about her t-shirt. Walters suggested that such incidents, when multiplied across the country, contribute to a reduction of diverse viewpoints among school staff and the promotion of specific ideologies.
Adair stated that her shirts are not unusual for her, recalling wearing a "Math facts" t-shirt when meeting with former Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The school district has a policy against apparel that is considered political or disruptive to the educational environment. Adair, however, did not view her chromosome shirt as political or disruptive, particularly given the absence of students at the professional development session. She expressed a belief in stating truths through her clothing choices.