Attorney Call to Parents

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Washington State officials
alleging abridgment of civil rights of parents of runaway youth over
a new law enabling shelters to conceal information for youth seeking
so-called “gender affirming” care. Attorneys are seeking additional parents
from Washington, Oregon or Idaho to join as co-plaintiffs. If you are interested in learning more, please see the contact details at end of this essay.

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Attorneys for plaintiffs International Partners for Ethical Care and
Advocates Protecting Children, two nonprofits established to combat
gender ideology, along with eight anonymous parents, filed a federal
civil rights lawsuit on August 16, 2023 in the U.S. District Court for
The Western District of Washington against Washington Governor Jay
Inslee, Attorney General Robert Ferguson, and the Secretary of WA
Department of Children, Youth and Families, Ross Hunter.

Plaintiff's Complaint states:
"This lawsuit against Washington state officials is about whether a
minor child who is receiving or even just seeking so-called 'gender-affirming'
treatment—which includes services that alter body parts, prescribe
life-altering medications, and other related things—showing up at a
youth shelter, homeless shelter, or a host home, provides sufficient
grounds to steamroll parental constitutional rights. Under recently
enacted SB 5599, that answer is 'yes.' Under the United States
Constitution and the Washington State Constitution, however, that
answer is 'no.'"

The Complaint alleges that the statute infringes on parental civil
rights by taking away a requirement of notice to parents, authorizing
the State to refer a minor for mental health services potentially
including services the parents would not endorse or authorize,
delaying when the State would return the children to their parents,
and enabling shelters and homes to conceal the child's location or
medical interventions from the parents with no time limit.

The Complaint further alleges that the recently enacted Washington state
statute "discriminatorily deprives certain parents -- but not all
parents -- of their fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution to
direct care and upbringing of their children, as well as their rights
to the free exercise of religion, due process, free speech, and equal
protection..." in violation of plaintiffs' rights under the 1st and
14th Amendments.

Attorneys from three legal firms Mitchell Law, America First Legal,
and Schaer Jaffe, LLP are providing pro bono legal services to parents
whose rights are threatened by this new law. Attorney James Phillips
stated that they are seeking “[P]arents with a child who struggles
with gender identity issues and who has run away in the past or is
threatening to do so now.” Parents from Washington State, Oregon or
Idaho are encouraged to join with the eight other parents as anonymous
co-plaintiffs. If you are a parent interested in joining the lawsuit
you may contact Schaer Jaffe, LLP.  info@schaerr-jaffe.com
202.787.1060