Staff Reports
Republicans are fighting the good fight in Virginia as they push for Sage’s Law, a bill that would require public schools to keep parents informed if their child is experiencing gender incongruence. The legislation, introduced by Republican Senator John J. McGuire, aims to provide parents with the oversight they deserve and increase transparency in the public education system.
'Sage's Law' resurges as GOP lawmakers seek to increase parental rights and school transparency in Virginia https://t.co/ZYN7SA2zEp https://t.co/ZYN7SA2zEp
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 6, 2024
However, it’s no walk in the park for the conservatives as the now Democratic majorities in the Virginia House and Senate pose a significant challenge to the bill. The legislation had previously failed to pass in last year’s Virginia General Assembly, and now the battle continues.
The bill, named after Sage Blair, a 14-year-old Virginia girl who suffered greatly due to her school’s failure to disclose her gender dysphoria, has garnered support from parents’ rights activists and Republican lawmakers. Sage’s tragic story serves as a powerful example of the potential consequences when important information is kept from parents.
Chris Elston, a passionate supporter of Sage’s Law, has articulated the simple premise of the bill: parents deserve to know when their child is going through an identity crisis, and schools should not keep such crucial information concealed. He rightly emphasizes that no parent wants their child to keep secrets from them, and schools must not be complicit in this secrecy.
The bill’s advocates are determined to ensure that parental rights are upheld and that no child is taken away from parents who raise them according to their biological sex. Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, describes the efforts to secure parental rights as “an aggressive battle” in Richmond, and the outrage from parents must be heard loud and clear.
The bill is not only about informing parents but also involves ensuring parental participation in any counseling of a minor regarding gender dysphoria at school. It also clarifies that raising a child in a manner consistent with their biological sex should not warrant them being labeled as an abused or neglected child.
As the heated debate unfolds, supporters of Sage’s Law are rallying together to urge the Virginia committees to prioritize parental rights and the well-being of children. With a hearing and a crucial vote scheduled for this week, the fate of Sage’s Law hangs in the balance, and the stakes could not be higher for the future of parental oversight in the education system.
