The 3 - September 29, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes news of a recent letter sent by just under a-third of the nation's state attorneys general chiding a large organization of pediatricians for its support of gender-change treatments and surgeries.  Plus, an American pastor who was doing ministry in China in the 1990's, when he was imprisoned and received a life sentence has been released and is back on American soil.  And, a survey by a leading pro-life organization shows that out of over 700 Christian colleges and universities surveyed, over a-tenth of them have a relationship with Planned Parenthood.

Attorneys general call out pediatricians prescribing puberty blockers

Across the nation, state legislatures have been passing laws to curb the proliferation of treatments and procedures that offer a false promise of enabling a minor child to change his or her gender.  Now, a consortium of attorneys general has called on the American Association of Pediatrics to stop its promotions of these therapies, "including puberty blockers and surgeries."

That's according to a FoxNews.com report that "Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador sent a letter...to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) accusing the organization of abandoning 'its commitment to sound medical judgment.'"

The letter stated, "That halt on what is fairly described as medical experimentation on children is long overdue – particularly since the majority of children initially diagnosed with gender dysphoria desist and 'grow out' of the condition by the time they are adolescents or adults..."

Labrador was joined by the AG's of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and over a dozen other states in signing the letter.

Pastor imprisoned in China since 2009 freed

The hostility of the Chinese government toward the Christian faith is quite tangible and of great concern.  And, in the case of pastor David Lin, that was extended toward an American who was imprisoned for sharing his faith.

CBN.com reported that:

...Lin had frequently traveled to China in the 1990s to spread the gospel, according to China Aid, a U.S.-based advocacy group for persecuted activists in China.

Chinese authorities questioned Lin in 2006, while he was building a Christian training center in Beijing that the regime did not approve. In China, all Christian churches must pledge loyalty to the ruling Communist Party or face punishment.

Lin denied all wrongdoing but was still sentenced to life in prison on fraud charges in 2009, a method that's frequently deployed against leaders of churches that operate outside the regime's parameters.

As the article reports, Lin was freed recently from his imprisonment. CBN quotes from a text from Lin's daughter to Bob Fu of China Aid, who was described as a "longtime supporter." The text said: "Praise God! We got the call late last night!!! Dad is free and over Alaska now..."

Over 80 "Christian" colleges have connections with nation's largest abortion provider

One would think that an institution of higher learning that claims to be "Christian" in nature would not have a relationship with an organization that supports and participates in the taking of human life in the womb.  But, as Live Action reports:

A recent report from Students for Life of America (SFLA) revealed that 83 Christian colleges and universities across the United States have ties to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s leading abortion provider.

The investigation by SFLA’s Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement examined 732 Christian-affiliated institutions for the fourth year in a row for any connections to abortion services, including listing Planned Parenthood as a health resource, promoting its events on campus, and advertising the abortion corporation’s volunteer, internship, or career opportunities.

The article relates: "SFLA President Kristan Hawkins urged on her X account, 'We must demand these institutions sever all connections with abortion providers immediately and fully commit to the pro-life values they were founded on...'"  Live Action says that: "According to the study, schools were graded from A+ to F based on their level of affiliation with abortion services. An 'F' grade is assigned to institutions with four or more infractions."

The study also found that "65 professors at Christian schools have connections to the abortion industry through events or publications, and 14 of those professors have been directly affiliated with abortion industry leaders like Planned Parenthood through previous employment or board positions."

But, there is good news out of the survey.  Live Action reports that out of over 700 schools which were surveyed...

...58 institutions earned an “A+” for having no infractions and actively supporting pro-life alternatives, such as local pregnancy resource centers—a 32% increase compared to 2023. Another 591 schools received an “A” for either having no infractions or cutting ties with Planned Parenthood after being notified by SFLA.

The 3 - September 22, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes an action by the governor of Kentucky that has serious negative implications for Christian counselors who help minors deal with gender confusion.  Also, two Georgia ladies have died from complications resulting from the abortion pill - not because of the state's pro-life heartbeat law.  Plus, a Seattle pastor who had been arrested twice for reading from the Bible in public has received a positive outcome from the courts.

KY governor issues order that bans therapy to help minors overcome gender confusion

Christians are called to speak God's truth and to share a message that the presence of Jesus can help a person overcome sin.  But, in Kentucky, if a minor sees a counselor to help him or her overcome sinful sexual desires, including same-sex attraction, it's against the law for a counselor to help that minor to win victory over these desires.

Liberty Counsel reports: "Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order...banning counseling for minors who want to overcome unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, and gender confusion. The governor’s action sidesteps the Kentucky legislature after it has repeatedly protected children by denying attempts to enact an actual law banning counseling."

The Christian legal organization stated:

Liberty Counsel has represented licensed counselors who have used talk therapy to help many people. Through Liberty Counsel’s efforts, city ordinances in Florida and Iowa banning this type of counseling have been struck down or repealed preserving the free speech rights of counselors so they can help their clients to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion.

Mat Staver, heard on Freedom's Call on Faith Radio, who is the Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, is quoted as saying: "Governor Beshear’s executive order is unconstitutional. He should wise up because his executive order will cost the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He will lose. Counselors and their clients should have the freedom to choose the counsel of their choice. Gov. Beshear has no business inserting himself between a client and a counselor.”

Abortion pill usage, not Georgia's heartbeat law, results in deaths of two ladies

Amber Nicole Thurman was a 28-year-old woman who was pregnant with twins.  She was past six weeks, so Georgia's pro-life, heartbeat law prevented her from taking their lives. So, she went to North Carolina.  The Daily Citizen reported that, according to a New York Times article: "...she felt she needed an abortion to preserve her newfound stability.” The Daily Citizen continued:

According to the story, Thurman missed her appointment. Instead, the clinic gave her the abortion pill, which she took – but then proceeded to suffer serious effects in the days following.

The article said, "Thurman was eventually hospitalized back in Georgia, diagnosed with sepsis and died following emergency surgery."  It continued:

The New York Times speculates that Georgia officials may have delayed performing a D&C out of “fear” – but offer no evidence to back up the accusation. Despite claiming otherwise, D&C’s are not illegal in Georgia to save a mother’s life – they’re only illegal if they’re specifically performed in order to kill the preborn baby.

The Times also glosses over the risks of chemical abortion itself – even though the pills have been known to cause serious problems. Goldberg claims that abortion pills are “safer than penicillin or Viagra and significantly less perilous than childbirth.”

LifeNews.com stated, "Doctors monitored her condition and hospitalized her but she died before they could do a D&C medical procedure to remove the parts of the unborn babies left inside her and finish the incomplete abortion caused by the failed abortion pill."

The article also reported: 

Now, a Georgia woman named Candi Miller has died following a botched aboriton [sic] due to the abortion pill.

According to multiple reports, the 41-year-old woman ordered abortion pills online, but they caused an incomplete abortion, leaving parts of the baby’s body inside her. She would need a would need a dilation and curettage procedure, which is not an abortion, to remove the parts of the baby, but she stayed at home and did not go to the emergency room or a doctor for the care, which is fully allowed under Georgia law.

The article quotes from Ingrid Skop, an OB-GYN who serves as Vice-President and Director of Medical Affairs for the Charlotte Lozier Institute:

“The tragic deaths of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller in Georgia demonstrate conclusively how dangerous medically unsupervised, ‘self-managed’ abortion drugs are, as we have been warning for years. Yet, the FDA has steadily removed important safeguards on these drugs, allowing them to be ordered online and delivered in the mail without a single in-person doctor visit. Both women suffered failed abortions requiring surgical treatment. Amber died from sepsis, a complication the FDA alerts physicians to watch for in its ‘black box’ warning on mifepristone. Physicians must be aware of this risk and swiftly intervene.

“Candi’s family states she did not seek medical care because she was worried about prosecution, but every pro-life state law prohibits prosecution of women for seeking an abortion. Intentional misinformation by pro-abortion media regarding criminal penalties and claims that abortion drugs are ‘safer than Tylenol’ frighten women so that they do not seek medical care when they suffer complications like severe pain and heavy bleeding. This misinformation is to blame for these women’s tragic deaths, not pro-life state laws protecting them and their unborn children.”

Samuel Sey at the Slow to Write blog took issue with attempts to blame Georgia's heartbeat law fo4 Thurman's death.  He stated:

...MSNBC published an article saying:

“If the Christian right had not had its way at the Supreme Court, Amber Nicole Thurman would be alive today. She would have been able to get the medical care she needed in 2022…The true crime is that Thurman’s life was cut short because of ideologues who for 50 years trumpeted ‘biblical’ values as they sought to make women pay for unwanted pregnancies, even with their lives.”

The author’s hatred for Christianity is clouding her judgment. Amber Thurman didn’t die because of Christians or Georgia’s pro-life laws. She died because people like MSNBC refuse to tell the truth about the abortion pill.

Seattle pastor arrested for reading Bible in public vindicated

A pastor in Seattle who had been arrested for reading the Bible in public has been completely cleared, according to a piece at the First Liberty website, which said: 

In the summer of 2022, Seattle police arrested Pastor Matthew Meinecke for sharing the Gospel at two public events. This week, First Liberty entered a consent order that represents a complete victory for the Pastor, who brought his case against the City of Seattle.

The consent order provides Pastor Meinecke all the relief he sought in the case. He is now free to read his Bible or share the gospel on the streets of Seattle without fear of arrest. He also received monetary damages for the two false arrests, along with reasonable attorney fees and expenses.

The article states that the pastor "...went to a Seattle pro-abortion rally to read the Bible aloud, hold up a sign and hand out literature. He was censored and arrested on two separate occasions for simply reading the Bible to others because his Gospel-oriented message triggered hostile reactions from activists." That included some Antifa members, who defaced the Bible, tore out pages, and knocked the pastor to the ground.  Two days later, he experienced more harassment when he attempted to share God's Word at the Seattle PrideFest event.  

First Liberty noted, "Hecklers mistreated Meinecke again, and Seattle police officers silenced Meinecke again. The officers then arrested Meinecke for refusing to depart from his intended audience." The article relates:

In April, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Pastor Meinecke, concluding that the city’s policy amounts to an unconstitutional heckler’s veto and remanded the case with instructions for the district court to enter a preliminary injunction for Meinecke.

The recently-released consent order "mirrors the decision of the appellate court," according to the Christian legal organization.

The 3 - September 15, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes news out of a federal appeals court, which upheld a ban on the practice of offering young people with gender confusion an alternative to their same-sex attraction by offering gospel-centered direction.  Also, a challenge is underway to IRS guidelines on how non-profit organizations are allowed to participate in political speech.  And, a well-known football star and TV personality has been involved in speaking out on legislation that is designed to protect children from online exploitation.

Law banning so-called "conversion therapy" upheld by federal appeals court

When young people are experiencing confusion about their gender, they need someone to talk to, hopefully, someone who will give them guidance, from a Biblical perspective, about God's love for them and the truth about their identity.  But, in Colorado, it is illegal for people to engage in counseling that is designed to provide Christ-centered direction regarding their gender struggles. 

And, that continues today, as the result of a recent ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.  The Daily Citizen reports:

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld Colorado’s counseling censorship law that bans so-called “conversion therapy.” Colorado’s law prohibits mental health professionals from helping minors struggling with unwanted homosexuality or transgenderism.

Kaley Chiles, a licensed professional counselor in Colorado, brought a lawsuit in an attempt to prevent enforcement of Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law, which was passed in 2019. Kaley helps clients with many issues – including unwanted sexual identity confusion and same-sex attraction.

But Colorado’s law prohibits her from helping minor clients, who struggle with these issues, live according to a biblical sexual ethic.

The article notes:

According to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is representing Chiles, Colorado’s therapy ban violates her – and all counselors’ – freedom of speech and infringes on her free exercise of religion. It also censors the speech of her clients by prohibiting certain private client-counselor conversations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. It also removes agency and autonomy from clients who desire such therapy.

The article also refers to previous content on the website that stated: “‘conversion therapy’ is a term invented by activists who oppose the truth that some people with same-sex attractions or gender identity confusion don’t want to embrace those thoughts, feelings, identities or behaviors. It is a non-existent practice – but these bans have the effect of prohibiting legitimate professional therapy for those with unwanted sexual identity confusion or homosexual identity, attractions and behaviors.”

Religious broadcasters' organization joins with others to file complaint about IRS rule on political activity

A complaint has been filed by the National Religious Broadcasters organization, Intercessors for America, and two Texas churches in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Tyler, Texas. Together, they are challenging what is known as the Johnson Amendment; according to NRB's website, "plaintiffs argue that their speech has been wrongfully silenced under the language known as the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits 501(c)(3) nonprofits from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, including restrictions against comparing the positions of candidates to the positions of the organization."

The NRB website notes, "The complaint details the fact that many 501(c)(3) organizations engage in electoral activities that are open, obvious, and well-known, yet the IRS allows some, but not all, such organizations to do so without penalty."

Troy Miller, NRB President & CEO, is quoted as saying, "For too long, churches have been instructed to remain silent on pressing matters of conscience and conviction during election season or risk their 501(c)(3) status...We believe that all nonprofits should have the constitutional right to freely express their point of view on candidates, elections, and issues on the ballot. Our challenge to the Johnson Amendment is about securing the future of free expression for all Americans, particularly those standing in the pulpit.”

Former Heisman winner devotes energy to protecting children

Tim Tebow, former Heisman Trophy winner and current SEC Network analyst, as well as founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, has devoted energy to protect children from online sexual exploitation. He has been a leading spokesman for the Renewed Hope Act of 2024.  The Christian Post reported:

The former Heisman Trophy winner read chatroom posts from sex offenders to help people understand the threat predators pose to children during a press conference on Capitol Hill this week to introduce a bill to fight exploitation.

The article says that, "The legislation would enhance the ability of U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to rescue exploitation victims and identify predators. The measure aims to provide the agencies with the resources to hire and train personnel and equip them with advanced victim identification methods."  It goes on to say:

Tebow stressed that the issue is about people, not politics, specifically the boys and girls who are victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. Some may not understand the implications behind an explicit photograph or video, he said.

"It's not just images; it's not just videos," Tebow stated. "It's boys and girls that are in the worst moments of their life. And then people are celebrating it."

The Foundation has established itself as a force to combat human trafficking, and supports special needs individuals through the annual partnership with churches known as the "Night to Shine."

The 3 - September 8, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, features news about a federal appeals court decision against a California law providing for certain requirements for social media companies. Also, a federal judge has put a new Administration rule that would prevent states from enforcing legislation that would ban gender-change procedures. And, several companies have announced they are backing down from progressive policies, including special treatment shown toward the LGBT agenda.

New CA law governing speech ruled unconstitutional by federal appeals court

A California law that would place limitations on free speech by social media companies has faced multiple court challenges.  Last year, National Religious Broadcasters, joined by The Babylon Bee and others challenged the law in court. An article on the NRB website noted that this bill, AB 587 "would require social media companies to report content deemed 'hate speech' and 'disinformation' to the government." NRB President and CEO Troy Miller was quoted as saying, “We are proud to act on behalf of NRB members who would be impacted by or required to comply with this censorship law,” adding, “In an environment where much religious viewpoint expression is considered ‘controversial’ speech, NRB is acting to stop the weaponization of new laws against Christian communicators.”

Also challenging the law was social media platform, X. And, last week, according to NRB's Washington Next Week e-mail newsletter, General Counsel Michael Farris wrote, "Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that California Assembly Bill 587 violated the First Amendment by requiring social media companies to report detailed information about their community standards."

Farris listed a number of categories that enumerated areas of speech that companies would be required to "track and report;" he stated: "these categories are largely subjective and give wide latitude for silencing people who simply disagree with the views of either the social media company or the Attorney General of California."

Farris noted that the lawsuit in which NRB was a party had been dropped due to questions about standing on the part of the plaintiffs.  He noted that X used "essentially the same arguments."

Federal judge puts nationwide hold on new federal regulation overriding state laws on medical mutilation

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a new rule back in May, according to Liberty Counsel's website, "requiring federally-funded health care doctors and state insurance plans to perform and pay for harmful puberty blockers, hormones, and mutilating surgeries."  

The states of Texas and Montana filed a lawsuit against the federal government and in an expansion of an earlier ruling applying to just those two states, a judge issued an order that "expands a previous injunction from July 3, 2024, that only applied to Texas and Montana, and at the behest of the two states, he applied it nationwide noting certain provisions of the rule 'are unlawful to all participants.'”

U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle, according to Liberty Counsel, had said that the two states challenged the rule, "claiming the rule would 'override' state laws protecting children from medical mutilation. He also noted that the rule would threaten health care providers and states with the loss of millions in federal funding if they decline to provide and pay for these experimental gender interventions for children and adults alike."  Liberty Counsel states that...

...As a result, every state and medical provider receiving federal financial support is now protected from being forced to comply with the rule under financial threats from the federal government. For the 26 states who have laws protecting children from medical mutilation, this injunction also keeps this rule from preempting those laws.

In other court action on the topic, Liberty Counsel had announced in late August that "the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order allowing Florida to protect children and enforce its state law banning harmful puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and mutilating surgeries for minors. The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 to preliminarily remove a lower court’s block on the law allowing it to take immediate effect for now. The Appeals Court also agreed to hear full oral arguments in the case later this year to make its final determination on the law’s future."

More corporations get "back to business," reject pro-LGBT policies

Robby Starbuck is a podcast host and a commentator. His website says about him, as well as his wife, Landon, "Their Christian faith is very important to them as they are active members of their church and God is at the center of everything they do."

Starbuck has been involved in an effort to persuade companies to abandon progressive employment policies.  The Christian Post reported:

Starbuck urged Tractor Supply customers to contact the retailer's leadership to express opposition to its embrace of "LGBTQIA+ events at work" and "LGBTQIA+ training for employees," funding "pride/drag events" and "sex changes" for its employees, engagement in "climate change activism" and display of "pride month decorations in the office."

Tractor Supply announced it was backing off on some of their policies, including providing "data" to the pro-LGBT organization, the Human Rights Campaign.  Other companies contacted by Starbuck also made similar announcements.  For instance, as The Christian Post related:

In a statement posted on X in July, the farm equipment retailer John Deere insisted that it was "always listening to feedback and looking for opportunities to improve" and making several commitments based on recent "conversations."

The business explained that it would "no longer participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events."

Other companies announcing a regression in their progressive policies include Harley-Davidson, Jack Daniel's, Lowe's, and Ford Motor Company.

The 3 - September 1, 2024

On this Labor Day Weekend, two of the stories on The 3 focus on people who stood on their Christian faith and lost their employment.  One involved a Christian officer in the Idaho Army National Guard, who had a complaint filed against him based on his expression of Christian beliefs on personal social media. Then, there's the nurse at a Texas hospital who observed that gender-change treatments were continuing at her place of employment even after a Texas law banning these practices was passed. And, the issue of gender was involved in a lawsuit against a Ohio school district, whose policy against "misgendering" has been upheld in court. 

National Guard officer removed from command, forced out of military for Christian beliefs

John is, or was, an officer in the Idaho Army National Guard.  He is a Christian, and now faces a future apart from his military service.  As the Liberty Counsel website explains:

In 2023, a subordinate officer who identifies as homosexual complained to John’s chain of command, claiming that the posts John made on his own personal social media account made the subordinate officer feel “uncomfortable” and “unsafe.”

John never discussed his Christian views and beliefs about LGBTQ issues with this subordinate officer or anyone else in his command. Instead, the officer’s complaint was SOLEY based on John’s personal social media posts.

Yet the subordinate officer claimed that John’s posts created a “hostile work environment.” The subordinate officer claimed that John’s views were aligned with “hate groups” and “extremists.”

As the website points out, John posted on his personal Facebook account. He shared about his Christian beliefs, but "they were never derogatory, simply a reflection of commonsense parenting based on a Christian worldview."

The website notes that, "Following the complaint, the Idaho Army National Guard removed John from his command, citing an Department of Defense Policy issued in 2009 that "unjustly labels Christians as 'extremists' who need to be removed from military service." Liberty Counsel contends that "The Idaho Army National Guard and the DOD’s policy have violated the First Amendment, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Idaho Constitution."

Whistleblower regarding gender treatments at TX hospital dismissed from job

Vanessa Sivadge was a nurse at Texas Children's Hospital, and according to Decision Magazine, "worked closely with parents in helping with their children’s prescription refills and general care questions on behalf of the physicians in the unit. TCH is the nation’s largest children’s hospital." But, in her capacity, she observed some activity that was troubling to her. On her GiveSendGo page, she wrote, “My faith in Jesus compels me to speak the truth about what I’ve seen while having the utmost compassion and love towards children confused about their sex..."

The Decision article relates that Vanessa shared with...

...independent journalist Christopher Rufo that she had asked the hospital on May 31 for a transfer back to her “core competency” in the cardiology clinic because of a religious objection to the cross-sex hormone treatments that she was having to indirectly participate in. Her letter to the hospital specifically asked for a religious accommodation.

Sivadge, along with a former TCH resident surgeon named Eithan Haim, blew the whistle on TCH for what she and Haim allege were continued gender-altering treatments on minors after a new Texas law banned such practices in September 2023 and after an earlier opinion from the Texas attorney general that such treatments constituted child abuse. Sivadge also alleged the hospital engaged in Medicaid fraud to pay for the treatments.

Sivadge was fired on August 16, and she told Rufo that, "It is retaliation for my coming forward with information on TCH’s egregious pattern of deception and Medicaid fraud,” adding, “and this action also illegally disregarded my request to transfer due to my belief that these procedures bring irreversible harm and lifelong regret to children confused about their sex.”

The article goes on to detail how Vanessa and her husband were visited by FBI agents following her accommodation request who attempted to force her to testify against Haim.  The article states:

In an interview with The Christian Post, Sivadge said, “I am a Christian, and my faith is the foundation of everything. That’s the reason why I’ve spoken out as I have.”

Decision says that she referred to the "weaponization" of the federal government against people of faith, and according to that Christian Post article, she said: “I never thought that [my identity] would come to light, and that I would be ultimately visited by the federal government, wanting to intimidate me into silence,”adding, “Ephesians 5 says to have nothing to do with the worthless deeds of evil and darkness...but instead expose them, and that everything exposed by the light becomes visible."

Court rules against "misgendering" in Ohio school

The use of pronouns that correspond to a person's stated gender, not his or her biological sex, is an affront to the Biblical viewpoint that there are two genders - male and female. Yet, you have officials who are trying to force people to essentially lie about biological fact by embracing so-called "gender pronouns."

The Daily Citizen reports that the practice of not using these pronouns, an act known as "misgendering," is unconstitutional, according to a federal appeals court.   The article reports:

In February 2023, a parent-member of the organization emailed the Olentangy Local School District, inquiring whether their “devoutly Christian child who believes in two biological genders” would “be forced to use the pronouns that a transgender child identifies with or be subject to reprimand from the district.”

The District responded that a “student purposefully referring to another student by using gendered language they know is contrary to the other student’s identity would be an example of discrimination under” the District’s policies.

This prompted a lawsuit against the school district by an organization called Parents Defending Education. The Daily Citizen article stated that "a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently upheld a lower district court’s ruling against Parents Defending Education."

It was a 2-1 decision, and the dissenting judge, Senior Judge Alice Batchelder, wrote this:

The plaintiffs’ position – based on their scientific (biology, physiology, and genetics) and religious beliefs – is that biological gender is immutable, people are either male or female, and there is no such thing as “gender transition”; that is a made-up thing, imaginary or make believe, and a public school cannot force their children to pretend it is a real thing.

Batchelder stated, "The First Amendment forbids the District from compelling students to use speech that conveys a message with which they disagree, namely that biology does not determine gender."