Parent silenced for calling transgender athlete a boy

In New Hampshire, a significant controversy arose during a school board meeting where parent Beth Scaer expressed her concerns regarding transgender athletes competing in girls' sports. This meeting took place in August 2024 and has resulted in a federal lawsuit filed by the Institute for Free Speech against the Kearsarge Regional School Board. Scaer, while speaking at the meeting, referred to a male athlete on the girls' soccer team as a ‘tall boy’ and was quickly interrupted by Board Chair Alison Mastin. Mastin threatened police action if Scaer continued her remarks, deeming them derogatory. This incident highlights the intense debates surrounding transgenderism in educational settings and parents' rights to voice their opinions. The lawsuit argues that the school board's enforcement of unwritten rules against what they consider derogatory comments is an unconstitutional act of viewpoint discrimination. Nathan Ristuccia, an attorney with the Institute for Free Speech, stated that this case aims to protect citizens' rights to free expression in public forums, emphasizing that government officials should not impede civil discourse based on personal preferences. The ongoing clash between freedom of speech and the rights of transgender individuals continues, reflecting broader societal divisions on these matters. Vernadette Broyles, an attorney advocating for parental rights and understanding of biological fundamentals, has been active in supporting families navigating issues related to gender ideology in schools. Her organization, Child & Parental Rights Campaign, seeks to empower churches and parents with resources and knowledge to counter what they perceive as challenges to traditional values and parental authority.