Christian Parents Allegedly Caused ‘Mental Injury’ by Rejecting ‘Transgender’ Identity

The ongoing war on reality has claimed many victims in recent years, including a family who recently moved from Oregon, where state officials removed a sexually confused minor from the home because the mother and father refused to affirm a lie.

David and Nicole Calaway relayed the tragic story to our friends at the Daily Signal. Back in July 2024, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) claimed the Calaways were causing “mental injury” to their then-15-year-old daughter, K.A.

How so?

It seems that David and Nicole, who are Christians, did what responsible mothers and fathers do when a child, who is developing their own worldview, expresses thoughts or convictions that are clearly in theological error.

Part of the Calaways’ “conversation” with K.A. included them showing her a video that explained the “trans” delusion. While activists would disagree, there is no such thing as a “transgender” person. There are two sexes – male and female. That’s a biological fact.

Nicole Calaway has told reporters the videos included testimonials of “detransitioners” – the heartbreaking, real-life examples of once sexually confused individuals who are now attempting to reverse the surgeries and procedures, which often leave their bodies mutilated and marred. Nicole said she shared the stories “because I wanted her to make an informed decision. I did not want her to ruin her body. I still do not want her to ruin her body.”

The Calaways have an older daughter who is also sexually confused and had moved out of the family home prior to K.A.’s removal.

Apparently, ODHS officials were just as confused and misled as K.A. when a counselor informed them that the mother and father had been sharing this biological truth with their daughter, prompting the agency to step in.

In a letter to the parents, ODHS caseworker Rachel Woods wrote: “Your adverse reactions to [K.A.] expressing their gender identity have caused serious harm to [K.A.’s] psychological functioning.”

The phrase “psychological functioning” is an umbrella term that refers to how a person thinks, feels and behaves. Ironically, Mr. and Mrs. Calaway’s commitment to sharing God’s truth is the very best way to ensure their daughter grows up to think clearly, reason critically and discern truth. Contrast their commonsense approach with ODHS’ insistence on enabling delusional thinking and it’s especially galling and outrageous.

David Calaway has asked the million-dollar question: “When did the truth become mental injury?”

“I was so distraught, it felt like I was gutted,” Nicole Calaway reflected. “Both my daughters were gone. I took myself to the hospital and admitted myself for a week because I couldn’t handle it.”

The Calaways have filed a lawsuit claiming their free speech and religious freedom under the First Amendment have been violated. In addition to seeking financial damages, they are asking to be removed from child abuse and sex offender registries. Their case is expected to be heard by a judge in September. 

Now living in Florida, it’s been two years since David and Nicole Calaway have seen K.A. While working to right the wrong done to them, the heartbroken couple is speaking out in the hope of helping others. “We just want to bring awareness out there to parents everywhere that this is happening,” they recently stated.

The “trans” delusion is real and devastating, impacting more and more people thanks to bureaucratic bullies and radical activists whom it appears have been given up “to a debased mind” (Romans 1:28). Please join us in praying for justice for those impacted and for truth to prevail.