Portland Mother Files Lawsuit Over Gender Curriculum Retaliation
A mother named Allison Roberts from Portland, Oregon has initiated a lawsuit against both Portland Public Schools and her child’s elementary school. She claims that she faced retaliation for opposing the school’s gender curriculum.
Roberts, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, originally raised concerns about a decision made by Meriwether Lewis Elementary School last year. The school had altered its traditional rainbow Pride flag to an “Intersex Inclusive Progress” flag, expressing support for racial and transgender issues. While Roberts has been supportive of the local LGBTQ+ community, she felt this new flag was more of a political statement that contradicts her Christian beliefs, particularly concerning transgender topics.
Things escalated when she came across an assignment called the “Identity Flower” given to students aged 11. This task prompted kids to explore and share their gender identities with peers and teachers. Roberts was reportedly not informed in advance about this assignment. When she sought clarification from the principal, the response did not satisfy her. She then authored an open letter publicly opposing the policy, which she distributed outside the school.
Following a tense interaction with another parent, Roberts found herself with a one-year restraining order, which prohibited her from attending school functions, including her child’s graduation. Upon inquiring about this situation, she alleges that the school accused her of “harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior,” stating that her actions contributed to a hostile environment for students in that community.
The Liberty Justice Center argues that the school’s actions have infringed upon Roberts’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by retaliating against her for voicing her concerns. They are seeking a ruling from a federal court that deems the school’s actions unconstitutional and are asking for an injunction against the specific policy directed toward Roberts.
No comments have been made by Portland Public Schools regarding the ongoing case.
Timothy R. Snowball, a senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, noted that they plan to file a motion for a preliminary injunction to pause these problematic policies while the litigation is underway. He emphasized that this motion would safeguard the rights of not just Roberts but also all families facing similar issues in Portland.
Roberts expressed gratitude for the considerable support she’s received throughout this process. “It’s been incredibly encouraging to witness the backing from our local Portland community and beyond, from parents and grandparents nationwide,” she stated. “I never intended for it to escalate like this, but realizing that I’m fighting for not only my family but countless American families makes me feel confident that pursuing this lawsuit is the right choice.”
