In a bold stand for parental rights, nearly two dozen states have rallied behind a Florida family, the Littlejohns, in a legal battle against a Leon County middle school. The school is accused of secretly facilitating a social gender transition for the couple’s 13-year-old daughter without parental consent. This case, now before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, underscores a growing national debate over the boundaries of school authority and parental involvement.

The controversy began when school officials allegedly met privately with the Littlejohns’ daughter, discussing her use of a new name, pronouns, and even which bathroom or locker room she preferred, all while keeping her parents in the dark. They reportedly asked if she wanted her parents informed—an alarming overreach, according to the family and their supporters. January and Jeffrey Littlejohn argue this violated their constitutional rights, a claim backed by an amicus brief filed by states including Alabama, Texas, and Georgia on April 30.

The appeals court’s earlier 2-1 ruling on March 12 favored the school, stating officials didn’t act with intent to harm or force the child into decisions, failing to meet the ‘shock the conscience’ standard for due process violations. The Littlejohns, undeterred, have appealed for a full court hearing, supported by organizations like the Liberty Justice Center, which argues that schools lack the expertise to navigate such sensitive matters without parental input.

‘Parents, not the government, know what’s best for their children,’ declared Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, echoing the sentiments of the 21 states involved. The states’ brief calls the court’s initial ruling ‘disastrous’ for families nationwide, arguing that withholding critical information about a child’s wellbeing is constitutionally intolerable. The case has also drawn attention from figures like Dr. Erica Anderson, who joined the legal effort to stress that school staff aren’t qualified to facilitate such transitions in secret.

January Littlejohn, a guest at former President Trump’s congressional address, shared the personal toll: the school’s actions fractured her family, taking years to heal, though her daughter has since moved past the gender confusion. As this case unfolds, it’s a stark reminder of the delicate balance between school policies and the sacred trust between parents and their children.

Parental Rights News

States Rally Behind Parents in Fight Over School’s Secret Gender Transition