Parents' Rights Now!

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Education Agency to disregard new Biden administration Title IX rules that extend sex discrimination protections to include LGBTQ+ students. The revised rules, effective August, redefine discrimination to cover gender identity, among other updates. Abbott criticizes this as a move that protects male athletes identifying as female over biological females, arguing it misinterprets the original intent of Title IX, which was to protect women from sex-based discrimination.

Ohio's House Bill 8, initially aimed at parental notification of sexually explicit materials in schools, has been amended to be more stringent. Now termed "sexuality content," it includes any sexual concepts or "gender ideology." The bill now also requires schools to inform parents if a student identifies with a gender different from their biological sex, removing previous exceptions for suspected abuse and neglect. Parental consent is mandated for all school-provided health care.

Link to education committee contact information: https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/primary-and-secondary-education

New Hampshire's House Bill 1312, aiming to expand parental rights in education, narrowly passed the House and is under Senate review. It requires a two-week notification for teachings on human sexuality, including terms related to gender and sexual orientation. Critics argue the bill is overly broad and could harm LGBTQIA students by potentially fostering dishonesty between educators and parents. Proponents believe it ensures parental oversight on sensitive subjects. Critics, including teacher unions, warn it may limit educators' ability to provide a full academic experience.

Affiliate Shoutout

Michelle Cunney
 Affiliate Location: City Grayslake, Illinois
 Bio: Michelle Cunney has been instrumental in spreading our mission and has helped us gain more affiliates!

Thank you Michelle for protecting K-12 students by standing up for parents' rights!

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In this episode of the "Parents' Right in Education" podcast, host Suzanne Gallagher welcomes guest Daniel Suhr to discuss the legal battles surrounding teacher strikes and union influence in public education. Suhr, an advocate for constitutional rights in education, shares insights into his legal career, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the constitutional framework within K-12 public schools.

The conversation highlights the challenges posed by teacher unions, which Suhr believes have an outsized influence on public institutions, often surpassing legal boundaries. He explains that while teacher strikes are illegal in many states, unions sometimes disregard procedural safeguards, which can lead to broader, unauthorized demands during strikes. Such actions, according to Suhr, not only disrupt educational processes but also undermine lawful governance by enabling unions to overstep their roles.

Suhr's firm actively represents parents in lawsuits across the country, seeking to enforce legal standards and ensure that educational disruptions do not harm students and parents. He articulates a vision where parents and elected school boards, rather than union bosses, make decisions about educational policies and school management.

The episode delves into the specifics of a case in Portland, where teacher strikes challenged legal and procedural norms, discussing the broad implications of such strikes on the educational system and parental rights. Suhr advocates for a legal strategy ("law-fare") to correct systemic abuses of power by teacher unions, aiming to restore authority to parents and legal guardians in the educational domain.

Overall, the podcast underscores the significance of legal advocacy in defending parents' rights and the necessity of holding unions accountable for their actions within public education systems. Suhr and Gallagher encourage listeners to engage with and support efforts to ensure that educational environments respect legal and constitutional parameters.

Daniel’s website:  stopteacherstrikes.com

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In late 2023, the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) led a strike that lasted nearly a month, resulting in significant disruption to educational routines and extracurricular activities in Oregon. This strike, considered illegal under Oregon law, led to a lawsuit aimed at seeking compensation for affected families. Oregon law stipulates that public employees can only strike over mandatory subjects of bargaining. However, PAT's demands exceeded these subjects, suggesting an intent beyond mere negotiation for better wages or conditions, aiming for a broader change in educational policy.

The consequences of the strike were severe: students lost learning opportunities, parents incurred additional childcare costs, and the daily routine of many families was disrupted. The legal actions initiated in response aim to address these disruptions and the broader implications of such strikes. While teacher strikes are illegal in many states, including Washington D.C. and 37 others, enforcement varies, with penalties ranging from fines to termination or even jail time.

National teachers' unions have been criticized for politicizing their agendas, often going beyond traditional labor issues to advocate for broader social policies within schools and influencing local and state educational policies. This has led to a divide among teachers, with some choosing not to support their local unions.

The broader debate around the legality and morality of teacher strikes hinges on the balance between protecting workers' rights and ensuring uninterrupted educational services for students. The use of strikes by teachers raises questions about the appropriate avenues for addressing grievances in the public sector, where the impact extends beyond the employees to affect students and the broader community. The concept of "law-fare," using legal strategies to address political or organizational challenges, emerges as a potential means of navigating these complex issues, aiming to redefine the boundaries and responsibilities of educational stakeholders within the legal framework.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

America First Legal (AFL) has disclosed documents from a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), revealing efforts by Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine to transform healthcare data collection concerning sex and gender identity. The documents detail a taxpayer-funded presentation advocating for nonbinary sex classification, part of a broader strategy by the Biden Administration to redefine statistical and legal concepts of gender under federal health policies. This initiative involves 19 federal health entities and has been criticized for using public funds to support what some view as a radical alteration of established biological and health standards.

New Hampshire's SB 341, a bill mandating school employees to fully and truthfully answer parental inquiries about their children, has divided House lawmakers, resulting in a 10-10 vote. The bill sparked significant opposition, with over 30 people, including representatives from teacher unions and the ACLU, testifying against it due to concerns about potentially forcing teachers to disclose students' sexual orientations or gender identities prematurely. Proponents, like Rep. Arlene Quaratiello, argue the bill simply enforces honesty in communication. The bill, unresolved in the House Education Committee, is set for a future full House vote.

New Hampshire Senate passed SB 375, a bill to segregate interscholastic and collegiate sports by biological sex, following a 14-10 party-line vote. The legislation, now before the House Education Committee, drew sharp criticism from State Senator Debra Altschiller who labeled it as violent against transgender youth. Conversely, Senate President Jeb Bradley supported the bill, citing incidents involving transgender athletes causing injuries in sports as justification. Critics, including Democrats in the Senate, have dismissed these injury reports as exaggerated fears. Supporters of the bill argue it protects the integrity and safety of women's sports in New Hampshire.

At a Massachusetts drag queen story hour, a drag queen led a chant of "Free Palestine," sparking controversy. Critics argue that such events shouldn't push political agendas on young children, emphasizing that guest storytellers should avoid using their platform for political influence.

Affiliate Shoutout: 

Name: Rick Wortman

Location: Affiliate Location: Kuna, Idaho

Bio: 

Rick is a parents’ rights and child protections advocate. In addition to being our local affiliate leader for Kuna, Idaho, he is also the president of the Parent2Parent Union, Idaho Ada County Chapter.

Thank you, Rick, for protecting K-12 students by standing up for parental rights.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

Welcome back to the "Parents Rights in Education" podcast, where we unite parents and allies in the mission to protect children's educational rights. Today, we delve into a pivotal conversation with Austin Daniel, a House District 46 candidate from Oregon. Austin, a former far-leftist turned moderate, shares his transformation and insights on identity politics. As a gay person of color, his experiences in Portland's progressive milieu shaped his nuanced views on modern activism and educational approaches. Join us as we explore the real impacts of critical race theory in schools and the potential for more inclusive dialogues.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In 2015, the Adolescent Sexuality Conference in Seaside, Oregon was canceled due to public outcry over its content, including discussions on porn and drug use during sex. Recently, similar figures re-emerged at the Joining Our Youth (JOY) Conference held at Oregon State University. This event, focusing on school-based health clinics, aimed to empower youth to access a range of health services, including mental health and gender-affirming care.

The JOY Conference, supported by the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance and the Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, brought together over 200 attendees, including youth leaders, educators, and health practitioners. The conference provided interactive activities and workshops aimed at promoting health services through youth-adult partnerships and included discussions on culturally responsive clinical approaches and policy sustainability.

However, the event has been met with criticism. One example involves Shantel Waddell, who discussed extending day programs for community schools. This follows a recent lawsuit where a program she was involved with was accused of mishandling a sexual assault case involving minors. Another presenter, Nicole Mayer, focused on enhancing youth/adult partnerships, emphasizing her diverse identity and commitment to various social issues, which some may see as a push towards activism rather than education.

Furthermore, Haley Hedrick from the Doernbecher Gender Clinic discussed supporting gender diverse youth, emphasizing resilience amidst political and cultural challenges. She offered insights into both medical and non-medical pathways for gender affirmation, emphasizing youth-centered decision-making models.

Critics of the JOY Conference argue that its strong focus on youth empowerment and engagement could veer into activism, potentially sidelining parental involvement in the developmental and educational processes of their children. The conference literature notably lacked any mention of parental roles, raising concerns about the exclusion of parents from discussions about their children’s health and education.

This event reflects ongoing tensions between educational initiatives aimed at inclusivity and community responses that demand more traditional approaches to education and parental involvement.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In Portland, parents filed a lawsuit against the Portland Association of Teachers for over $100 million, citing a November 2023 strike that led to nearly a month of school closures for 44,000 students. The suit claims the strike was illegal under Oregon law, which limits strikes to mandatory bargaining subjects. Parents allege severe disruptions to their children's education and well-being, seeking compensation and legal measures to prevent future occurrences. The lawsuit was initiated by attorneys Patrick Hughes and Daniel Suhr, known for their significant legal battles in Supreme Court cases.

The complaint can be viewed here.

For GLSEN's 2024 Day of Silence, the theme is "Rise Up, Take Action," encouraging students to actively fight censorship and discrimination rather than remaining silent. Resources include participating in the Rainbow Writes Award, joining the GLSEN Youth Membership, taking the National Student Council Survey, hosting events, and leveraging ACLU resources against LGBTQ+ discrimination in schools. Critics argue this promotes activism over education. Parents are urged to review school materials for activist content.

In Sherwood, Oregon, transgender high school athlete Aayden Gallagher sparked controversy by winning a girls' track event, outrunning biologically female competitors. Critics, including former NCAA champion Riley Gaines, accused adults involved of promoting unfair competition. The incident raises questions about the Oregon School Activities Association's policies on trans athletes, which aim to balance gender identity respect with fair competition. Debate intensifies over whether biological males should compete in female sports.

Contact Portland Public School’s Title IX Program Manager and explain your concern with the policy:

Liane O’Banion
 [email protected]
503-568-2646

In Osseo, Minnesota, hundreds of students opted out of a school lesson on LGBTQIA+ history and culture, following the school board's progressive "LGBTQIA+ History and Culture Resolution." The community has shown significant pushback against the resolution, which includes recognizing Pride Month and supporting gender-affirming practices. Critics, including the group 279 Parents United, argue the curriculum represents political indoctrination, prompting widespread student opt-outs and parental protests.

Affiliate Shoutout: 

Name: Cami Strasser
 Affiliate City:  Grangeville, Idaho

Bio: 

Cami became an affiliate for Parents’ Rights In Education because she wants K-12 schools to get back to teaching the basics: reading, writing, and math. She has been a fierce fighter to protect children in her area from sexually explicit content and she understands that it is not censorship to remove pornographic material from schools. 

Thank you, Cami for protecting students by standing up for parental rights!

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In the U.S., a national push to reform K-12 education through policy and law changes is gaining momentum, driven by organizations, NGOs, and lobbyists. This movement is notably propelled by the SIECUS initiative, originally established in 1964 to promote comprehensive sex education. SIECUS has evolved, promoting sex education as a vehicle for broad cultural shifts towards sexual and reproductive freedoms. Their "Sex Ed for Social Change" campaign aims to influence societal norms and rights related to sexual health by integrating these lessons into school curriculums. Critics argue that this approach promotes a liberal agenda, extending beyond education to include broader social influences. Sex Ed For Social Change Rebrand

The campaign has led to a significant rise in legislative actions with SIECUS at the helm of the Sex Education Policy Action Council (SEPAC), collaborating with various state entities to propagate comprehensive sex education policies. This coordinated effort seeks to increase the adoption of these policies at all levels of government and boost the number of policymakers supportive of comprehensive sex education.

Despite the advocacy for educational and social change, there has been a notable backlash with a marked increase in parental rights bills and restrictive legislation concerning sexual and reproductive health education. This resistance highlights a growing divide over the role of education in shaping societal values and the rights of parents in overseeing their children's education. The battle lines are drawn as both sides mobilize to shape the future cultural landscape through the educational system.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.

In January 2023, the New York legislature passed a proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for the second time, setting a ballot date for November 2024. The amendment seeks to ban discrimination based on various identifiers including sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among others. Proponents emphasize its potential to enhance abortion access post-Roe v. Wade. Critics, however, argue that the ERA could also advance gender ideology and weaken parental rights by enabling minors to access gender-affirming treatments without parental consent. They express concern that this could include treatments as significant as puberty blockers and genital surgery, facilitated by a broad interpretation of "person" in existing laws which include minors. Critics urge public awareness of these implications before the vote.

The Louisiana House Committee on Education recently advanced House Bill 121, termed the "Given Name Act," which mandates the use of transgender and nonbinary students' birth names and pronouns in public K-12 schools, barring written permission from parents. This bill, passed along a 9-3 party-line vote, also allows school employees to refuse using certain pronouns contrary to their religious or moral beliefs. Further, it includes provisions for parents to request a teacher transfer if there's a disagreement on pronoun use based on teacher's convictions. The bill has been amended and progresses through the House, urging public engagement and monitoring.

In Montana, a lawsuit has been filed by students, educators, and organizations challenging the 2021 law mandating parental notification 48 hours before discussing "human sexuality" in schools. The plaintiffs argue the law is vague, stifling free speech and educational quality, and threatens privacy and due process rights under the state Constitution. They contend the law prevents open dialogue on topics like gender identity and sexual health, limiting educational opportunities and potentially exposing LGBTQ+ students to further discrimination and bullying. Montana's government defends the law as protecting parental rights to oversee their children's exposure to sexually explicit content.

Support the show

If you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.

DONATE TODAY!
www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com