Tanner Cross to Speak at Pray Vote Stand Summit

October 4, 2021

Teaching physical education in Loudoun County, Virginia, Tanner Cross likely never thought he would rise to national prominence and find himself at the center of a heated debate over school policies. Yet, Cross's commonsense remarks before the Loudoun County school board propelled him to exactly that position.

"I love my students," Cross told the school board, "but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. I'm a teacher, but I serve God first -- and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa... It's against my religion, it's lying to a child, it's abuse to a child, and it's sinning against our God." His statement prompted the school to put him on administrative leave as they conducted an investigation for his refusal to use transgender pronouns with students. Tanner Cross was eventually reinstated as a teacher when the Virginia Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that ordered Loudoun County Public Schools to allow him to return to work.

To share about his experience and the importance of standing up for the truth despite the consequences, Tanner Cross will be joining Family Research Council and FRC Action at the first annual Pray Vote Stand Summit taking place October 6-8, 2021. He will appear on a panel titled "Power to the Parents: Virginia's Education Uprising," alongside Loudoun County High School teacher Monica Gill, ADF Senior Counsel and Director of the Center for Academic Freedom Tyson Langhofer, Executive Director of Fight for Schools Ian Prior, and Smart's Mill Middle School teacher Kim Wright.

Announcing the summit, FRC President Tony Perkins stated, "The assaults on faith, family, and freedom have never been more pronounced and severe. From pronoun police, to indoctrination in our classrooms, to the lock-down of our churches, to the vaccine mandate in the workplace, the core values and ideals that birthed America are at risk of being overrun by political and cultural Leftists. We recognize that while we contend for these ideals in the political arena, the hope for America is not going to be found in political elections. Politics is downstream from the culture, and the culture is downstream from the church. The PVS Summit is focused on equipping and encouraging Christians to live out their faith with boldness and courage in such a way that it impacts EVERY aspect of our society."

As heated cultural debates threaten to alter the future of our country, it has never been more important to gather with like-minded Americans to pray, vote, and stand for biblical values. Notable speakers at the Pray Vote Stand Summit include high-profile political leaders, experts, and public figures including Allie Stuckey, Nancy Pearcey, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and many more. For a full list of speakers, click here.

Taking place at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia, the Pray Vote Stand Summit will explore the growing hostility to the truth of God's Word in our culture, and will look at the current issues facing the church and our nation -- such as the right to life, religious freedom, strengthening families, developments in our education system, and more -- and share how we can act from a biblical worldview.

To learn more about the Pray Vote Stand Summit and to join us in-person or stream the event online, visit PrayVoteStand.org.