These Parents Won’t Back Down!

A fierce showdown over parental rights erupted this week at the Chesterfield County School Board’s Tuesday night meeting.

As transgender activists booed, shouted and mocked--courageous parents stood strong against policies that cut them out of the process, especially when gender-transition is promoted to their children at school. Here’s a quick recap:

•  At issue were proposed revisions that would finally bring the school district into compliance with Gov. Youngkin’s  parental rights policies—nearly two years after parents first began requesting them. 
•  Andrea, a mother of three children in the district, grew emotional as she pleaded for policies that are safe for all: “There are incidents in the schools that even go unreported to the parents … where there are boys who are going into bathrooms,” she said. “And recently ... there was a boy who was almost raping one of the classmates—and she did not report it. This is something that must be considered. We can work together to find solutions for everyone.” Watch her compelling testimony:

The district’s current policy is a Northam holdover that includes language allowing educators to conceal vital information from parents when their child is experimenting with gender identity. The revisions--already implemented by school districts across the state, including Virginia Beach and Newport News--would make it clear that:

• Schools cannot encourage or instruct teachers to hide relevant information from parents about their kids.

• Parents must be notified and given an opportunity to object before counseling regarding gender identity is given to their children.

• Schools must protect the constitutional freedoms of employees or students who don't want to be compelled to speak words that violate their faith or conscience, as well as:

• Protecting girls’ privacy and safety in locker rooms, overnight sleeping areas, and girls’ sports.

Watch hecklers attempt to shout down Family Foundation’s Candi Cushman as she defends the revisions:

After nearly 50 people addressed the board, the meeting ended close to midnight following a long, contentious debate among the school board members themselves. School Board Member Steven Paranto made a strong defense for restoring parental rights in the process. But Board Member Dominique Chatters argued against it and even seemed to think engaging parents simply meant telling them to go to PTA meetings and read to their children more. Watch their tense debate: 

School Board members Lisa Hudgins and Anne Coker also defended the revised policies. But at the end of the night no action was taken. It was yet another disappointing delay to the more than 200 parents and concerned citizens who spoke up at a “Protect Every Kid” rally at the August school board meeting.

TAKE ACTION:  Stand behind these parents by sharing this email and videos. If you know concerned parents and residents in the Chesterfield County area, let them know they can email their school board members and ask the board to stop the delay and vote for the revision draft proposed on Tuesday, November 12. We are stronger when we speak together!