So far this year, hundreds of bills targeting LGBTQ+ youth and families have been introduced across the country — many targeting schools. And, now HR5, the so called “Parents Bill of Rights” has been introduced into Congress.
HR5 puts LGBTQ+ youth and families at risk and makes our schools a stage for unnecessary, harmful culture wars. Specifically, HR5 would divert resources away from our families' real needs, require schools to forcibly “out” students, and open the door to censorship in the classroom.
HR5 would insert the federal government as a national school board, undermine local control, and hurt the ability of parents and teachers to support children. This unprecedented federal government interference would disrupt the public education system, undermine communities, especially LGBTQ+ families and families of color, and cut LGBTQ+ youth off from the resources and support they need to thrive.
Some members of the House have proposed an alternative: The “Bill of Rights for Students and Parents”. This bill encourages parent-teacher collaboration and prevents book bans and dangerous attempts to erase our history in the classroom.
The vote on HR5 is scheduled for this week, so we must act fast! Contact your legislator and urge them to prioritize real parental engagement—not parental censorship—by SUPPORTING Representative Bonamici’s “Bill of Rights for Students and Parents” and OPPOSING HR5.
Together, we can ensure that our students are learning in safe, inclusive, and affirming environments that actually meet their needs.