This is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek take, but, honestly, I can’t see how else to engage more deeply with these policy rationales.
“Parental rights”
Code for, “my children are my property to do with as I see fit. I do not respect their agency as an individual.”
Their kids are their property. But your kids are state property and have no agency compared to whatever quack theories the right’s favourite podcasters and youtube shouty men and Facebook meme accounts have been fixated on this week.
“But only if you’re on our side”
Because remember if you support your trans child you’re rights are being impacted.
Code for, "my children are my property to do with as I see fit. "
Well, unless you decide you want to let them access gender affirming care, in which case you as a parent have no rights at all.
This was never about parental rights. It’s about using the trans community in the same way the right used the gay community in the 70s and 80s: as a moral boogieman they can use to gain power.
parental rights are when the government gets in between a doctor, their patient, and the patients family.
“Parents should have the right to decide what their children are allowed to do!”
Alright, I consent to my child taking puberty blockers.
“No, not like that.”
