On Monday, the United States Supreme Court met privately to consider cases for the new term beginning next week. Among them is a case involving a Colorado family whose daughter was secretly transitioned by a public school district.
The case has garnered national attention in the ongoing debate over parental rights in education. The family is hoping the Court will take the case and use it to affirm parental rights against school districts that attempt to usurp the authority of fit parents to direct the care, upbringing and education of their children.
Background
The case, Lee v. Poudre School District R-1, involves complaints from two families, the Lees and the Juriches, in Colorado. They allege that the school district’s policies on gender identity intentionally excluded parents from critical decisions involving their children.
According to their lawsuit, the Lees’ 12-year-old daughter was invited to attend an “art club,” but the meeting turned out to be a Gender and Sexuality Club.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Citizen, Erin Lee explained, “At the meeting, adults told her daughter that if she wasn’t entirely comfortable in her biological sex, she was trans. Activists informed her she was queer if she wasn’t sure who she was sexually attracted to, and they advised the kids that it was ok to lie to her parents about the meeting.”
The families argue that the school district’s policies fostered an environment that discourages disclosure to parents and even promotes secrecy. They allege that these policies and practices violate the constitutional right of parents to control the upbringing and care of their children.
Lower Court Rulings
The district court dismissed the case, finding that there was no plausible constitutional violation.
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision, concluding that the families did not sufficiently link the alleged harms to official district policy.
Legal Theories
The families claim the school district’s actions violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, which the courts have interpreted as securing the rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
They argue that the Constitution presumes parents are the natural guardians of their children and that the state cannot displace them from this role without compelling justification.
The school district maintains that its policies are designed to protect student privacy and foster a supportive environment. They claim that the policies are administrative choices, and the school district has ultimately discretion over their policies.
Lee Family Remarks
Erin Lee spoke with the Daily Citizen about standing up for her family and for all the families that have had their rights infringed,
I’ve connected with so many other parents who’ve had their children, their families and their rights violated by public schools keeping secrets and encouraging their children to keep those secrets from parents. This is such a ubiquitous issue that has harmed thousands.
I feel blessed that we were able to rescue our daughter from the throes of wrong-sex confusion and protect her from the harms of chemical & surgical mutilation. This lawsuit is for our girls and our families. But it is also about every other parent who has been in our shoes.
Impact
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear this case, the implications could be far-reaching.
A decision in favor of the families could reestablish the presumption that the parents, not schools, have the right to direct their children on sensitive topics like identity and religion.
A ruling against the school district would force school districts to be more transparent about their policies.
A holding in favor of parents could also give more parents the confidence to challenge other educational debates in public schools, including curriculum content, religious accommodations, health decisions and parental opt-outs.
A decision about whether the court will take the case this term is expected on Monday, October 6.
The Daily Citizen will continue covering this developing story.
Related Articles and Resources
Erin and Jon have a documentary, Art Club, telling their story. Watch online for free.
To learn more about Erin’s advocacy for children and parents, visit her account on X or her website.
Exclusive Interview: Colorado Parents Expose ‘Gender Cult’ at Public School in New Documentary
Focus on the Family Urges Congressional Leaders to Respect Parental Rights
Focus on the Family exists to help families, and that includes help navigating the issues of homosexuality and transgenderism. Focus offers a free, one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. To request a counseling consultation, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) or fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
Image from Shutterstock.