Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, (R), refused Sunday to concede when Jake Tapper, a CNN anchor challenged the fairness of new regulations protecting parents’ rights.
What is the background?
Youngkin has published new rules that require students to use bathrooms and pronouns that correspond to their biological sexual orientation.
The rules do not exclude transgender students or anyone protected by federal law. They allow them to live their lives.
Under the new rules, transgender students can live out their gender identity at school. Only their parents can request this.
These rules highlight the First Amendment rights protection.
The First Amendment forbids government agents to require individuals to adopt or hold certain ideologies. The First Amendment also protects religious freedom.
Tapper: What’s the deal?
Tapper made an untrue argument while questioning Youngkin during CNN’s State of the Union.
Tapper told Youngkin that the American Academy of Pediatrics had stated that these laws could increase suicide, depression, and anxiety among transgender youth. Tapper stated that it sounded as if you were excluding parents from supporting their child’s use of the toilet or they’re joining a team that is compatible with their gender identity.
Youngkin quickly dismissed the claims of Tapper.
“No,” Youngkin said, “Parents should give their children the right to alter their names or use the toilet.”
Youngkin stated that the purpose of the rule modifications was to “fix an error,” specifically the progressive rules made by Virginia Democrats.”
He said that parents have the right to be involved in their children’s lives.
“And oh, by the way, children have a right to have parents engaged in their life,” Youngkin continued. “We needed to fix a wrong. The previous administration had a policy that excluded parents and, in fact, particularly didn’t require the involvement of parents.
The governor said, “Let’s be clear: Parents have the right. Children do not belong to the state. ”
Have any other suggestions?
The rules will take effect after a 30-day period for public comments that began on September 26.
Macaulay Porter was Youngkin’s press secretary. He stated last month that it is “not within a school or government’s purview to impose certain ideologic beliefs on all students.”
“Key decisions rest, first and foremost, with the parents,” Porter added. “The previous policies implemented under the Northam administration did not uphold constitutional principles and parental rights, and will be replaced.”
