January Littlejohn, a licensed mental health counselor and mother from Florida, faced an emotional ordeal when she discovered her 13-year-old daughter was being encouraged to explore a transgender identity at school—without parental consent.
Littlejohn’s story sheds light on the challenges some parents face navigating the intersection of education, gender identity, and parental rights.
The Catalyst: A New Social Circle
In 2019, Littlejohn’s then 12-year-old daughter became involved with a friend group that strongly embraced diverse gender identities.
While initially supportive of her child’s new friends, Littlejohn grew alarmed as discussions of gender transitioned from casual conversations to plans for medical interventions.
By the age of 13, her daughter spoke openly about puberty blockers and top surgery, conversations that left her parents shocked.
School Policies Overriding Parental Consent
Unbeknownst to Littlejohn, school staff had already implemented a “gender support plan” for her daughter.
This plan included decisions about restrooms, pronouns, and rooming arrangements on field trips—all without consulting the family.
When Littlejohn expressed her concerns and requested that her daughter’s name not be changed, the school disregarded her wishes, citing nondiscrimination policies.
“I was outraged,” Littlejohn recalled.
“Three adults sat alone with my child and agreed to this without my consent.”
Navigating an Emotional Minefield
Littlejohn’s attempts to learn more were met with resistance.
The school refused to share details about the gender plan, leaving Littlejohn and her husband feeling sidelined.
Adding to their distress, educators and medical professionals accused Littlejohn of harming her daughter by not affirming her new identity.
“I was terrified and angry,” she explained.
“It felt like the school was celebrating something that was making my daughter miserable.”
The strain on the family was immense, with Littlejohn’s daughter becoming increasingly withdrawn, anxious, and resentful.
A Turning Point: Rebuilding Trust
By the end of eighth grade, the Littlejohns decided to remove their daughter from the school.
They limited her internet use and prioritized reconnecting as a family.
Over time, their daughter began to heal, rediscovering her confidence and joy.
“It took a great deal of time to repair our relationship and rebuild trust,” Littlejohn shared.
Now 17, her daughter is thriving as a college senior.
However, Littlejohn laments the years lost to what she describes as “an ideology that stole two-and-a-half years of her life.”
Legal Battles and Advocacy
In 2021, Littlejohn filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging it violated her parental rights.
Although the case was dismissed in 2023, it played a pivotal role in shaping Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The law, which restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexuality, has sparked national debate.
Critics argue it marginalizes LGBTQ+ students, while supporters see it as a safeguard for parental involvement in education.
Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom
Today, Littlejohn works with Do No Harm, an organization opposing identity politics in healthcare.
Speaking outside the U.S. Supreme Court, she highlighted the broader implications of her experience.
“These girls are at war with their bodies, and it’s a war they’re never going to win,” she said, addressing a crowd as justices deliberated on Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers for minors.
Looking Ahead
Littlejohn’s story underscores the complex interplay between education policies, gender identity, and parental rights.
As debates continue, her journey raises important questions about the roles schools and parents should play in shaping a child’s identity and well-being.
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