The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into 36 public school districts to determine whether they have included sexual orientation and gender ideology (SOGI) content in any classes. The investigation pertains to whether schools have notified parents of their right to opt their children out of such class content.
“This Department of Justice is determined to put an end to local school authorities keeping parents in the dark about how sexuality and gender ideology are being pushed in classrooms,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Supreme Court precedent leaves no doubt: parents have the fundamental right and primary authority to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. This includes exempting their children from ideological instruction that contradicts their values or decisions about their children’s health and best interests.”
A similar investigation was opened into the Los Angeles Unified School District last month over a policy that directed teachers to hide students’ “gender identity” from their parents. “These woke policies don’t just defy science, eviscerate constitutionally-protected rights — they put girls at risk of physical violence and sexual assault,” Dhillon said in a social media statement. “This Justice Department WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!”
Illinois was the subject of a separate DOJ action in September, when the DOJ filed a lawsuit challenging Illinois laws that offer in-state tuition and scholarships to illegal immigrants. Illinois law mandates that public universities provide in-state tuition to illegal aliens who maintain state residency. The DOJ argued this policy undermines federal immigration laws and gives unlawful advantage to non-citizens at the expense of American taxpayers and students.
