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The parental rights movement is a socially conservative political movement aimed at restricting schools' ability to teach or practice certain viewpoints on gender, sexuality and race without parental consent. [1] [2] [3]
One of the aims of the movement is preventing schools from using the preferred pronouns or chosen names of transgender and non-binary youth without disclosing to or gaining permission from parents. [4] More broadly, it aims to prevent the teaching of LGBT issues in public schools without parents' agreement. [2] The parental rights movement was brought to mainstream attention with the passage of the Parental Rights in Education Act in Florida, colloquially known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, by governor Ron DeSantis. Since then, the movement has expanded across the US and Canada. [5] [6]
Additionally, the parental rights movement has sought to increase parents' control over how children are taught about sexuality and race relations. [2]
Proponents of the movement have claimed that they aim to prevent indoctrination of children by LGBT activists. [7] [4]
Opponents of the movement argue that parental rights legislation endangers children by possibly outing them to abusive guardians. [8] [9] [10]
Jen Gilbert, a professor at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education defined the movement as "a conservative movement to limit the influence of government in people's lives...more generally around the schooling, the parental rights movement has emerged as a movement to limit discussions of sexuality and gender in schools under the auspices of both protecting children and protecting parents' rights to raise children as they see fit". [3]
The phrase "parental rights" has been used by groups with a spectrum of political, social and religious affiliations. [3]
The parental rights movement is viewed by some commentators as a form of pushback by conservatism against wide-spread acceptance of LGTBQ+ individuals and issues more broadly. [1] [11] It has been described as a far-right movement by Dan Lett of the Winnipeg Free Press and by progressive-leaning outlets Salon.com and Michigan Advance. [12] [13] [14]
The modern parental rights movement has been characterised by journalist Catherine Caruso as a resurgence of a similar movement in the 1990s. [15]
Starting in 2020, parental rights activists in the United States have sought to regulate how race is taught in schools. Prompted by protests after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, schools increasingly added antiracist texts to their curricula and diversity, equity, and inclusion measures to their policies and practices. Advocacy from the parental rights movement led to a backlash against those trends, and a wave of laws and regulations—often codified as anti-critical race theory rules—were passed in 2021. Legal scholar LaToya Baldwin Clark connects the 2020s activism to historical backlash from White parents to "contestations over race" like desegregation. [16]
Parental rights advocates have worked to restrict education on sex or sexuality since at least the 1990s. According to research by the Public Religion Research Institute, the movement's failure to substantially shift norms in public education led to many conservative Christian parents to withdraw their children from public schools and move to homeschooling or private schools. [17]
In 2022, the US state of Florida passed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, regulating all public schools in the state. The law prohibits public schools from having "classroom discussion" or giving "classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade or in any manner deemed to be against state standards in all grades; prohibits public schools from adopting procedures or student support forms that maintain the confidentiality of a disclosure by a student, including of the gender identity or sexual orientation of a student, from parents; and requires public schools to bear all the costs of all lawsuits filed by aggrieved parents."
Following its passage, Republicans in the House of Representatives introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, a bill largely based off of the act in Florida.
During the nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022, senator Marsha Blackburn accused Jackson of having a "hidden agenda" to restrict parental rights and expand government reach into schools. [18]
As of 2023, 20 states have had their legislatures introduce derivative bills of the Parental Rights in Education Act, including Arizona, [19] Georgia, [20] Iowa, [21] [22] Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, [23] Missouri, [24] Ohio, [25] Oklahoma, [26] Tennessee, and South Carolina. [27] [28] In April 2022, Alabama became the second state to pass a similar bill, with governor Kay Ivey signing House Bill 322, legislation which additionally requires all students to use either male or female bathrooms in Alabama public schools based on their biological sex. Some states have had similar provisions to Florida's law since the 1980s, though they were never called "Don't Say Gay" bills by critics until the 2020s. [29] [30]
Many potential candidates for the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries made parental rights a major theme of their platform. Focusing on school literature with racial or sexual content, parental control over curriculum, and LGBT education, possible candidates like Glenn Youngkin, Ron DeSantis, and Donald Trump have endorsed the goals of the parental rights movement. Coverage in CNN has described this use of "parents' rights" as "an umbrella term for a host of cultural issues". [31]
In 2009, Alberta passed an act that—while enshrining the rights of sexual minorities—also included a provision that would give parents the option of pulling their children out of lessons when topics related to sex, religion, or sexual orientation were taught. [3] At the time it was referred to as a "parental rights clause". [32]
Prior to the start of the 2023 school year, the province of New Brunswick altered a policy affecting both formal and informal name changes at school, and the ability of students to choose their preferred pronouns. The revised Policy 713 (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policy) denied students under the age of sixteen the right to make changes to their personal preferences without first receiving parental consent. [33] The province's Minister of Education, Bill Hogan, stated that the policy review which led to the changes had been prompted by complaints from parents. [34] The policy review was controversial, and along with concerns about Premier Blaine Higgs's leadership style, led to calls during the summer for a review of his leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick. [35] In response, the Christian conservative activist Faytene Grasseschi started a campaign called "Don't Delete Parents", encouraging people to sign a petition in support of Higgs, to pledge support for "pro-parent" political candidates, and to promote the idea that tax dollars should "follow the family" if parents chose to withdraw their children from the public school system in favour of home schooling or private schools. [36] [37]
In the same year, Saskatchewan also introduced policy requiring parental consent for children who wished to change their names or pronouns in school and placing restrictions on sexual health education. [38] Following a judicial injunction against the policy, Premier Scott Moe announced that he would invoke the Constitution's Notwithstanding clause to override the decision and bring the policy into law. [39] On October 20, 2023, the government invoked the notwithstanding clause and passed the Parents' Bill of Rights. [40] A national Christian lobbying group called "Action4Canada" has taken credit for influencing the Saskatchewan Party government towards the policy. [41]
In September 2023, Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused school boards in the province of "indoctrinating" students on gender identity, [7] and stated that parents should be involved with decisions around pronoun use at schools. [4] [42]
In the lead-up to the 2023 Manitoba general election in October 2023, the Progressive Conservative Party led by Heather Stefanson promised expanded parental rights in schools. [43] Stefanson's party was defeated by Wab Kinew's New Democratic Party.
Federally, Conservative Party of Canada members adopted a resolution to prohibit "medicinal or surgical interventions" for gender-diverse and transgender kids at the party's 2023 policy convention. [44] Party leader— and leader of the Opposition—Pierre Poilievre has said that schools should leave LGBT issues to parents. [45]
In 2023, the "1 Million March 4 Children" was a series of parental rights protests carried out in various cities throughout Canada. [46] [47] The protesters included adults and students, who claimed that children were being exposed to inappropriate topics regarding sexuality and gender identity and that students in some Canadian schools were being encouraged by teachers to change their pronouns and get "body-altering surgery" without parental knowledge. [46] [48] The protests drew significant counter-protests. [46] [48]
In 2022, following the addition of a gender-neutral pronoun to French dictionaries, French Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer insisted that it was "not the future of the French language" and banned its use in schools. [49] [50] [51]
In Ireland, groups such as Irish Education Alliance and religious bodies such as the Catholic Secondary School Parents Association have opposed the government's introduction of mandatory education about gender identity, pornography, and sexuality, which they perceive as overriding the ethos and rights of parents and schools. [52]
Critics of the parental rights movement include parents, [53] teachers, [54] students, [53] [55] human rights groups, [56] and corporations. [57] They argue that policies which forcibly out LGBT children can be damaging or life-threatening to those with unsupportive families. [58] [59] Such policies have garnered significant concern due to the claimed potential for adverse consequences, including emotional distress, harm to mental well-being, and life-threatening situations for those affected. [60] [61]
A result of parental rights-focused policies is that forcibly outing individuals can exacerbate issues such as depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems, potentially leading to long-term emotional scars and negatively impacting their overall quality of life. [62]
Additionally, critics highlight that the parental rights movement's insistence on parental control over a child's disclosure of their LGBT identity can perpetuate discrimination and prejudice. By prioritizing parental rights over a child's autonomy, these policies may inadvertently discourage open and honest communication within families, hindering the ability of LGBT youth to seek support or understanding from their loved ones. [63]
Queer studies, sexual diversity studies, or LGBT studies is the study of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity usually focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender dysphoric, asexual, queer, questioning, and intersex people and cultures.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the U.S. state of Alabama have federal protections, but still face legal challenges and discrimination on the state level that is not experienced by non-LGBT residents. LGBT rights in Alabama—a Republican Party stronghold located in both the Deep South and greater Bible Belt—are severely limited in comparison to other states. As one of the most socially conservative states in the U.S., Alabama is one of the only two states along with neighboring Mississippi where opposition to same-sex marriage outnumbers support.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Florida have federal protections, but many face legal difficulties on the state level that are not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since January 6, 2015. Discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations is outlawed following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. In addition, several cities and counties, comprising about 55 percent of Florida's population, have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances. These include Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, among others. Conversion therapy is also banned in a number of cities in the state, mainly in the Miami metropolitan area, but has been struck down by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In September 2023, Lake Worth Beach, Florida became an official "LGBT sanctuary city" to protect and defend LGBT rights.
This is a list of events in 2011 that affected LGBT rights.
California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, which have received nationwide recognition since the 1970s. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the state since 1976. Discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted statewide in 2003. Transgender people are also permitted to change their legal gender on official documents without any medical interventions, and mental health providers are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy on minors.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of North Dakota may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in North Dakota, and same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples; same-sex marriage has been legal since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law.
Anti-LGBT curriculum laws are laws approved by various U.S. states that limit the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in public schools. In theory, these laws mainly apply to sex ed courses, but they can also be applied to other parts of the school curriculum as well as to extracurricular activities such as sports and organizations such as gay–straight alliances. In July 2022, a wave of anti-LGBT curriculum resurgence saw ten such laws beginning to take effect in six different states. Some states enacting these new laws appear to have mirrored similar laws from other states.
Jeremy Cockrill is a Canadian politician. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan (MLA), representing the electoral district of The Battlefords as a member of the Saskatchewan Party. He has served in the cabinet of Premier Scott Moe since 2022, and is currently the Minister of Education.
Matt Love is a Canadian politician serving as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan (MLA). Love was elected in the 2020 Saskatchewan general election and represents the electoral district of Saskatoon Eastview. Love is as a member of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) caucus.
Joe Harding is an American politician and businessman who was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2020 until his resignation in 2022. A member of the Republican Party, Harding is most well known for introducing the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" act.
Since the passage of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the Don't Say Gay bill, The Walt Disney Company has been involved in a feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the state's Republican Party. While initially a donor to some of the politicians who voted in favor of the Act, after its passage Disney spoke out against the bill and called for it to be repealed.
The Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" law, is a Florida state law passed in 2022 that regulates public schools in Florida. The law is most notable for its controversial sections which prohibit public schools from having "classroom discussion" or giving "classroom instruction" about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade or in any manner deemed to be against state standards in all grades; prohibits public schools from adopting procedures or student support forms that maintain the confidentiality of a disclosure by a student, including of the gender identity or sexual orientation of a student, from parents; and requires public schools to bear all the costs of all lawsuits filed by aggrieved parents.
The notion that LGBT people, or those supportive of LGBT rights, are engaging in child grooming and enabling child sexual abuse is a far-right conspiracy theory and anti-LGBT trope. This claim has been pushed by a growing number of mainstream conservatives, particularly in the United States and English-speaking world.
The Stop the Sexualization of Children Act was United States federal legislation introduced in the 117th Congress which would prohibit all federally-funded institutions from using such funds to instruct children on "sexually-orientated" materials. Considered to be a national version of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, likewise to the Florida legislation, it has been described as the national Don't Say Gay bill by opponents and commentators. The bill was introduced by Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and 32 additional Republican members of Congress cosponsored the bill.
Gays Against Groomers (GAG) is an American far-right and anti-LGBT organization known for campaigning against gender-affirming care for minors, protesting school curriculum content with LGBT themes, and criticizing Drag Queen Story Hour events.
The Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their Kids Act is pending United States legislation introduced in both the House of Representatives and Senate of the 118th congress. Sponsored by Republican representative Tim Walberg and senators Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina and originating in the 117th congress, the bill is similar to and viewed of as a national version of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, itself known by its opponents as the Don't Say Gay bill.
Policy 713, also called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy, is an education policy of the province of New Brunswick, Canada, that sets minimum requirements for public schools and districts in the province related to individuals identifying and perceived as LGBTQIA2S+.
Indiana HB 1608 is a bill that prohibits any person, entity, or vendor working in an official school capacity from providing instruction on human sexuality for grades K through 3. The bill was passed 65–29 by the Indiana House on February 23, 2023. It was referred to the Indiana Senate on the following day and passed on April 10, 2023. It was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb on May 4, 2023, and became Public Law 248. It goes into effect on July 1, 2023. After it was signed, the American Civil Liberties Union and Indiana-based LGBT groups decried the bill as part of the "Slate of Hate" along with such bills as SB 480, HB 1041, and HB 1447, all of which have since become laws.
The 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States is an ongoing political backlash from social conservatives against LGBT people. It has included legislative proposals of bathroom use restrictions, bans on gender-affirming care, anti-LGBT curriculum laws, laws against drag performances, book bans, boycotts, and conspiracy theories around grooming. Between 2018 and 2023, hundreds of anti-LGBT laws were considered, with more than one hundred passed into law.
The Education Amendment Act, 2023, commonly known as the Parents' Bill of Rights, is a 2023 piece of legislation amending the Saskatchewan Education Act. Also known as Bill 137, the legislation was introduced on October 10, 2023, during an emergency session of the 29th Saskatchewan Legislature, and it was passed on October 20, 2023, after a week of intensive debate in the Legislative Assembly. The provincial government, led by Premier Scott Moe, invoked the notwithstanding clause—Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—to pass the legislation and protect it from legal challenges based on Charter Rights.