University of Toledo: Proposed Policy Requires Students and Faculty to Use Individuals’ ‘Chosen First Names’

In early 2022, the University of Toledo proposed a policy that would require students and faculty to use individuals’ “chosen first names” in all communications that occur on campus or in university programs and activities. FIRE wrote to UToledo on February 14, explaining that the policy is overbroad under the First Amendment because it is not narrowly tailored to prohibiting only unprotected speech, such as unlawful harassment. UToledo failed to respond, but after FIRE sent additional letters on August 30 and November 4, the university ultimately adopted an amended version of the policy that recommends, rather than requires, that community members use others’ chosen first names.