Retired Teacher Gets 5 Years for Threatening Judge Over 'Don't Say Gay' Law

In a case highlighting the escalating threats against federal judiciary members, a retired educator has been sentenced to five years in prison for making menacing statements towards a judge who upheld Florida's contentious education law.

Stephen Thorn, 66, received the maximum sentence on August 23, 2024, after pleading guilty to threatening a federal judge in Florida. The judge had previously dismissed a challenge to the state's Parental Rights in Education Act, colloquially known as the "don't say gay" law.

The legislation, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in early 2022, prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade. It has been a source of significant controversy and legal challenges.

U.S. District Judge William Jung in Tampa imposed a sentence twice as long as prosecutors had requested. This decision reflects the growing concern over threats to the judiciary. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, serious threats against federal judges more than doubled from 224 in fiscal year 2021 to 457 in fiscal year 2023.

The targeted judge, later identified as U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger in Orlando, had dismissed a lawsuit brought by LGBTQ students, their families, and civil rights groups seeking to block the implementation of the Florida measure. Judge Berger, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, made this ruling in 2022.

In his threatening voicemails, Thorn, who is gay, expressed anger over the decision, stating that the judge had no understanding of LGBTQ children's experiences. He claimed to have located the judge's residence and family members, making implicit threats.

"Let's see how you would like it if somebody endangered your children in school or your grandchildren in school. You are an embarrassment to the judicial system."

Thorn has since apologized for his actions, attributing them to an emotional overreaction to news coverage of the ruling. His case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by federal judges in an increasingly polarized society.

It's worth noting that in March 2024, Florida reached a settlement in related litigation. This agreement allows teachers some freedom to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity while still protecting the youngest students from these topics.

The case underscores the delicate balance between free speech and the protection of the judiciary, a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system. As threats against federal judges continue to rise, it raises important questions about the safety of those tasked with interpreting and upholding the law in an increasingly divided nation.