There are unsettling realities that many may not be aware of. Across the nation, school districts sometimes use specific names and pronouns for students who have “locked in” their gender identity—concerns arise about the consequences of this. Even more troubling is that some districts might conceal these practices from parents, effectively excluding them from critical decisions regarding their child’s life.
In the last three years, Advances American Freedom has filed 13 Amicus briefs aimed at cases involving these school-driven social transitions. One case emphasizes how school officials often prioritize their judgment over parental consent, believing that the school environment is safer than home. They argue that for many students, school serves as their only sanctuary, and any safety they feel dissipates once they leave the school’s influence. Unfortunately, this means children can be put at risk while parents remain unaware of the actions taken by educators.
In 2022, AAF filed an initial brief, encouraging Iowa school districts to formulate gender support plans while denying parents the right to know about meetings involving these decisions. In a similar scenario in Florida, one district reportedly decided against informing parents about their children’s social transitions, citing potential risks to the child’s well-being.
In Ohio, some school districts classify the incorrect use of pronouns as “discriminatory harassment.” This means students could face punishment for accurately using the pronouns of classmates transitioning at school.
A troubling case emerged in New Jersey involving a freshman girl diagnosed with ADHD and autism. This girl experienced anxiety linked to childhood trauma, but her school counselor suggested that her struggles were rooted in gender confusion and advised a social transition from female to male. School officials even failed to communicate critical information to her parents while using new names and pronouns for the student.
This issue isn’t isolated; in Michigan, similar cases have surfaced involving autistic girls who were socially transitioned in secrecy. The documentation often still reflected their biological pronouns, which added to the confusion and distress.
Wisconsin schools require written parental consent for administering simple medications like aspirin, yet some adopt policies allowing staff to promote social transitions without informing or obtaining permission from parents. In one incident, a teacher even displayed a sign in the classroom that read something like, “If your parents don’t accept you, I’m your mom now #freemomhugs.”
In Massachusetts, a sixth-grade girl reportedly experienced heightened anxiety and depression after staff shared an unsolicited LGBTQ-themed video with her. Her parents requested that the school refrain from discussing gender identity with their daughter, but while they sought professional help, educators began using male pronouns for her.
In New York, a girl’s parents noticed a decline in her grades, only to discover the school was facilitating her social transition without their knowledge. After moving her to online learning, the school continued to engage her in discussions about her gender identity.
A junior high art teacher in Colorado invited a sixth-grade girl to an art club after school. Rather than engaging in creative activities, the girl endured a lengthy lecture, which suggested she might be “more likely to be transgender” if she struggled with body dissatisfaction. Students who shared their identities at the meeting were even awarded for doing so, creating a pressure-filled environment for those, like the girl in question, who had never previously considered their gender identity.
In another case, a different sixth-grade girl attended the same club and was told that transgender individuals have a higher risk of suicide. Though she had no previous suicidal thoughts, this led her to conclude she must be transgender, resulting in an attempt on her life that she later linked to her experiences at the club.
The trend of secret social transitions led by schools can have serious, harmful implications for children. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission launched an investigation into whether medical professionals engage in consumer fraud surrounding “gender-affirming care” and if the information provided about gender treatment is misleading. This scrutiny comes amid concerns that the agenda followed by some clinicians has overshadowed the foundational principles of medical ethics.
We urge the FTC to investigate how schools can promote harmful gender ideologies without parental involvement. The impact on children can sometimes be irreversible, and it’s vital to restore the parents’ role in raising their kids.
