Little Miami School Board’s Poster Dispute Escalates to First Amendment Lawsuit

In February 2025, the Little Miami School Board in suburban Cincinnati ordered social-studies teacher George McIntyre to take down a classroom poster titled “Hate Has No Home Here,” which displayed LGBTQ+ and trans Pride flags alongside other symbols. McIntyre filed a federal lawsuit alleging the board violated his First Amendment rights. The case now hinges on whether the poster constituted personal speech or a disruptive display tied to his public-employee role.

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Depositions reveal that the poster had hung for several years without prior complaints. Board President David Wallace testified that he first learned of the poster from “a few parents,” naming only Silas Shelton, a former pastor later convicted of sexual offenses. Wallace later qualified his recollection, stating the source “may have not been [Shelton].” Wallace also described the poster as “sexuality content” because the transgender and Pride flags were “predominantly displayed.”

The Advocate

In September 2025, Wallace conducted an unscheduled walk-through of Little Miami High School, entered McIntyre’s classroom after hours, and photographed the poster without an escort, prompting principal Kevin Harleman to label the act a “security risk” and raise privacy concerns. The administration reported no formal complaint about the poster until January 2026, after the November 2025 board election.

The Advocate

Attorney Joshua Engel argues the poster reflects McIntyre’s speech as a private citizen, not a district-mandated message, and that it did not disrupt classroom instruction. He has moved for summary judgment, asserting the facts favor his client. The district’s counsel, Omar Tarazi, declined to comment. Superintendent Regina Morgan and the board have not issued public statements beyond Wallace’s deposition remarks.

The Advocate

A former district teacher, in an affidavit, claimed LGBTQ+ students “are often subject to sexual harassment, bullying, taunts, and slurs,” and accused board members of “animus towards LGBTQ+ students.” The teacher’s testimony underscores broader worries that the board’s focus on “LGBTQ+ ideology” may endanger vulnerable students and stifle inclusive education.

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• “I believe he was the one that brought it to my attention … probably shortly after I got elected, if not during the campaign before I was elected,” — David Wallace, Board President

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• “It’s when you put it with the sexual conduct and gender ideology that then I believe the message is being changed,” — David Wallace, Board President

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• “This does not have to do with the homosexuality,” — David Wallace, Board President

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• “I’m a little afraid to walk through the building to see what I find until we can get this thing ironed out,” — David Wallace, Board President

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• “I believe that members of the LMSD School Board have demonstrated animus towards LGBTQ+ students,” — Former teacher, Little Miami School District (affidavit)

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