Parents Fight Back: A Mother’s Legal Battle Against Secret Gender Policies in Schools

In a powerful and deeply personal video interview, Erin Lee — a Colorado mother turned parental rights advocate — shares her family’s journey through a public school system she says betrayed their trust. What began as a seemingly innocent invitation for her 12-year-old daughter to join an after-school “art club” quickly spiraled into a traumatic encounter with gender ideology, secrecy, and deception — all without parental knowledge or consent.

According to Lee, the “art club” was actually a Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) meeting facilitated by an outside activist group. Her daughter was introduced to transgender labels, queer identities, and sexual concepts like polyamory. Most disturbingly, Lee says her child was encouraged to keep the meeting and its content secret from her parents — even being told directly by school staff that she didn’t have to tell them anything.

Shocked and devastated, Lee and her husband began asking questions — only to find resistance at every level. From the school board to law enforcement, every official channel seemed to shut them down. What they discovered through public records was even more alarming: district staff had referred to them as “barriers” and allegedly considered calling Child Protective Services because the Lees objected to the school’s actions and withdrew their daughter from the district.

With nowhere else to turn, the Lees went public — first through media appearances, and eventually by joining a federal lawsuit represented by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). The suit, currently awaiting consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court, argues that the school district violated their constitutionally protected parental rights by withholding information and making decisions about their child’s gender identity in secret.

Joined in the lawsuit by another family whose daughter kept her gender identity secret for over a year — until a suicide attempt led to the truth — Lee emphasizes the widespread nature of the problem. “This isn’t political,” she says. “It’s moral. It’s about the fundamental right and responsibility of parents to raise their children.”

Throughout the video, Gina D’Andrea, AFPI Deputy General Counsel, outlines the legal stakes. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, it could set a nationwide precedent affirming that parental rights are not only protected by the Constitution, but also foundational to a free society. If the Court declines, Lee vows to continue fighting — alongside other families facing similar experiences across the country.

In addition to her legal efforts, Erin offers practical advice to parents: pay attention, ask questions, teach children about trust and secrecy, and don’t be afraid to take drastic action to protect their well-being. Her message is clear: the family must be at the center of a child’s development — not institutions that shut out parents.

This video is part of AFPI’s ongoing work to defend parental rights and expose harmful educational practices. By sharing her story, Lee hopes to inspire and empower more families to speak up, connect with support networks, and push for change.