Doe v. Madison Metropolitan School District
Description: A Madison Metropolitan School District policy instructs district employees to assist children of any age to adopt a transgender identity at school upon the child’s request without notice to or consent from parents, to conceal from parents the fact that school personnel are doing this unless the child “consents” to the parents being told, and even instructs district employees to conceal these facts from parents.
Wisconsin families ask appeals court to protect parental rights in education
MADISON, Wis. – Attorneys with Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and Alliance Defending Freedom representing parents challenging a Madison Metropolitan School District policy filed their opening brief with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals Monday. The families are appealing their case after a lower court dismissed their lawsuit.
Lead counsel from WILL, together with ADF attorneys, argue in the suit, Doe v. Madison Metropolitan School District, that the policy violates constitutionally protected parental rights. The policy instructs district employees to assist children of any age to adopt identities at odds with their biological sex, without notice to or consent from parents, and to conceal from parents the fact that school personnel are doing this unless a child “consents” to someone informing the parents.
“Parents know and love their children better than anyone else,” said WILL Deputy Counsel Luke Berg. “Both the Wisconsin and U.S. Constitutions protect their right to decide what is best for their children.”
“Parents—not school boards—have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, care, and education of children,” said ADF Senior Counsel Roger Brooks. “It is essential that school officials not hide information from parents if their child struggles with any type of mental or physical condition at school so they can make the best, informed decisions to protect the child’s health and wellbeing. We’re asking the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to protect a parent’s right to parent.”
The appeal explains that the parents’ lawsuit is “the only way to prevent lifelong harm to minors and preserve parents’ constitutional rights, because parents cannot be expected to know either the future or what the District is hiding from them.” The brief continues, “No professional organization recommends that untrained school officials secretly facilitate gender transitions without involving parents and experts.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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ABOUT Roger Brooks
Roger G. Brooks serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where he is a key member of the Center for Conscience Initiatives. Brooks focuses his efforts on protecting freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and parental rights, and defending those who believe that the biological reality of male and female matters. Prior to joining ADF in 2018, Brooks worked with the New York law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore for 25 years, 19 of those as a partner in the litigation department. Brooks received an A.B. from Princeton University, followed by a master’s degree in history and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia. After law school, Brooks clerked with the Hon. John D. Butzner, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. He received his Master of Divinity from Regent College Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brooks served on the board of ADF (2012-2014) and on the board of the Christian Legal Society (2002-2011). He is a member of the state bars of New York and North Carolina.