Parents won a major victory with a lawsuit against Mount Lebanon School District. The school district had been teaching gender transition without consent of the parents. The judge ruled that the school violated parents constitutional rights by not allowing an opt out. The case involved the first grade teacher reading books and showing videos on gender nonconformity. The ruling highlights the importance of parental rights in public education.
Parents Challenge School District’s Gender Lessons
Carmilla Tatel, Gretchen Melton, and Stacy Dunn have led a group of Pennsylvania parents in a significant court victory over the Mt. Lebanon School District. Parental rights in education became a contentious topic of discussion when the district decided to teach elementary school students about gender transition and gender dysphoria without getting permission from the parents.
The case started when six- and seven-year-old students watched a video and read books about gender nonconformity as part of a celebration for Transgender Awareness Day, which was led by first-grade teacher Megan Williams. The books “Introducing Teddy” by Jessica Walton and “When Aiden Became A Brother” by Kyle Lukoff were among the ones used.
Having read thousands of pages of public record emails, I say with confidence that Transgender ideology is deeply embedded into every crevice of Pennsylvania government, including education and social services.
So few understand this. I hope people are starting to see. https://t.co/LjxRniE3G5
— Meg Brock (@MegEBrock) October 9, 2024
Contentious Teaching Practices in the Classroom
Court documents claim that the teacher told the students that doctors and parents can make mistakes about a child’s gender and that “parents are wrong.” Parents felt their authority was being compromised by this instruction, which caused them to express serious concerns.
“explained to her students that sometimes ‘parents are wrong’ and parents and doctors ‘make mistakes’ when they bring a child home from the hospital.”
A conservative law firm called the Alliance Defending Freedom claimed that the district had infringed parents’ rights by denying them the opportunity to opt out of these classes. This case bears similarities to another in Montgomery County, Maryland, where parents are challenging the removal of opt-out rights for lessons on sexuality and gender.
A Pennsylvania court has ruled in favor of parents who accused a Pennsylvania public school district of violating their civil rights by teaching first-grade children concepts such as gender dysphoria and gender transition. | @StrackHaley https://t.co/unqtmdH1KG
— National Review (@NRO) October 10, 2024
Court Ruling Upholds Parental Rights
Judge Joy Flowers Conti of the U.S. District Court found in favor of the parents, declaring that the school district had in fact infringed their constitutional rights by preventing them from opting their kids out of particular classes. The court determined that the school’s actions violated parents’ basic rights to be involved in their children’s upbringing.
“A teacher instructing first-graders and reading books to show that their parents’ beliefs about their children’s gender identity may be wrong directly repudiates parental authority,” Conti wrote in her opinion.
Judge Conti emphasized the constitutional right of parents to receive advance notice and opt-out options for non curricular instruction on transgender topics. This ruling highlights the importance of respecting parental rights and beliefs in public education, setting a potential precedent for similar cases across the country.
Implications and Reactions
The court’s decision has sparked mixed reactions. While the plaintiffs and their supporters celebrate the victory as a win for parental rights, others express concern. Asta Kill, president of Lebo Pride, voiced confusion and upset over the court’s decision, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding these sensitive issues in education.
As a result of the ruling, parents have filed for a preliminary injunction to stop the district from teaching gender-identity lessons without opt-out rights. The case continues to highlight the delicate balance that exists in public school gender and sexuality education between curricula and parental authority.
Despite receiving numerous National Blue Ribbon Awards and being recognized for being among the best in the state and nation for a long time, the Mt. Lebanon School District has not responded to requests for comment regarding the decision. This case reflects the evolving dynamics in the district, which has seen an influx of liberal, college-educated parents from Pittsburgh in recent years, influencing the school board and curriculum.
