September 21, 2022
Dear Senators,
Independent Women’s Voice, which fights to enhance people’s freedom, opportunities, and well-being, supports the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act, introduced by Senator Tim Scott.
Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for school staff to encourage and even facilitate gender transitioning for children as young as kindergarten-age without parental consent. Many schools have also concealed students’ new identities from their parents.
Sadly, these reckless policies are causing real harm to real students. Schools must put an end to these anti-parent tactics and return to their general purpose of educating students and preparing them to succeed in life.
The PROTECT Kids Act seeks to right these wrongs by requiring elementary and middle schools to obtain parental permission before making changes to a student’s gender marker, name, pronouns, or sex-based accommodations, including single-sex spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms.
This bill recognizes that government institutions don’t know what’s best for a child; the child’s parents do. “A quality education requires input from those who know children best: their parents,” said Senator Scott. “Sadly, radical and secretive gender policies have shut parents out of the conversation and broken their trust.”
We thank Senator Scott for taking a stand for parents and policies actually focused on protecting the well-being of schoolchildren. IWV applauds this bill and strongly urges all senators to work towards its swift passage.
Respectfully,
Virginia Gentles
Director
Education Freedom Center