Erin Lee’s fight began with an art class. What she believed would be a harmless creative outlet for her 12-year-old daughter transformed into a chilling discovery: a secret after-school club pushing gender and sexuality ideologies, operating in the shadows and deliberately excluding parents.
The club, disguised as an art group, was run by an outside organization called “Skittles,” and its methods were deeply unsettling. Lee recounts how her daughter was told discomfort with her body equated to being transgender, and uncertainty about attraction meant she was “queer.” This wasn’t simply exploration; it was a rapid introduction to complex concepts like polyamory, coupled with disturbing discussions about suicide.
Perhaps most alarming was the explicit instruction given to the students: “Do not tell your parents.” The presenter actively undermined parental authority, suggesting families might not be “safe” to confide in. Lee’s daughter was even pulled aside by the art teacher, who assured her she had no obligation to share what she’d learned with her mother and father.
When Lee confronted the school district, she faced an unexpected response. Instead of support, a mandated reporter was sent to investigate *her* family, initiating a “well-child check” because she hadn’t immediately affirmed her daughter’s newly expressed identity. The school essentially punished the parents for questioning what had transpired in the secret meetings.
The Lees, along with another family, launched a legal battle, *Lee v. Poudre School District R-1*, alleging the district had “groomed” their daughters. Despite reaching the Supreme Court, the case was ultimately dismissed, leaving them without legal recourse. However, the fight wasn’t in vain.
While the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, three justices, led by Justice Alito, issued a statement acknowledging the “troubling and tragic” allegations and the “great and growing national importance” of the issue. Alito’s words signaled a recognition that schools were potentially overstepping boundaries and infringing on parental rights.
Lee’s experience isn’t isolated. She reveals a disturbing pattern across the country, with parents increasingly sidelined in decisions regarding their children’s gender and sexuality. She describes instances of parents losing custody of their children for refusing to affirm a transgender identity promoted by the school system, a reality unfolding in both red and blue states.
The school district didn’t just dismiss the concerns; it actively celebrated the teacher involved. Public records revealed an apology to the teacher for the negative attention she received as a result of Lee going public. This teacher remains in charge of the club and even oversees student overnight events, continuing to have unsupervised access to vulnerable middle schoolers.
Despite the setbacks, Lee remains resolute. Her daughter is now thriving, having navigated the experience and emerged stronger. Lee’s story serves as a stark warning and a powerful call to action for parents to remain vigilant and reclaim their fundamental right to guide their children’s development.
