The WallBuilders Show When Parents Stand Their Ground, Freedom Wins - with Kelly Shackelford
The battle for parental rights is turning a crucial corner. After years of watching schools and government agencies assert control over children's education—especially regarding sensitive topics like gender identity—the Supreme Court has delivered a watershed victory for families across America.
Kelly Shackelford, president of First Liberty Institute, joins the WallBuilders Show to share the remarkable story behind this landmark ruling. In a California case that mirrors the Supreme Court's recent Mahmoud decision, parents discovered their elementary school was teaching gender ideology to kindergartners without their knowledge or consent. When fifth graders were instructed to read books encouraging kindergartners to "question their gender," some children came home troubled, feeling the activity conflicted with their religious beliefs.
What happened next reveals the stark divide in how we view the parent-child relationship in America today. When parents requested notification about such sensitive content and religious exemptions for their children, school officials flatly refused, claiming parents had "no right to notice" and would receive "no exemptions." The message was clear: these children belonged to the state, not their families.
First Liberty took up the fight and secured a victory even in California federal court, affirming that parents—not schools or government officials—have the fundamental right to direct their children's education. This precedent could impact everything from gender ideology to medical decisions, reinforcing that parents must be notified and respected as the primary authority in their children's lives.
The conversation also highlights First Liberty's extraordinary 9-0 record at the Supreme Court over the past six years, including their newest case on the right to share the gospel in public parks. The organization continues to defend Americans facing persecution for their faith, including business owners still fighting legal battles 13 years after declining to participate in ceremonies that violate their religious beliefs.
These victories represent more than legal technicalities—they're restoring the constitutional foundation that protects religious expression and parental authority from government overreach. As Shackelford reminds us, the courage to stand firm is what preserves liberty for future generations.
Visit firstliberty.org to support their work and learn how you can protect these essential freedoms in your own community.