If you’re following the ongoing Republican battle against trans people having even a shred of dignity and protection in the United States, you’ve noticed the phrase “parental rights” being tossed around lately. We’ve covered conservative efforts to bar trans girls from participating in school sports, as well as attempts to stop trans folks of all ages from being able to update their birth certificates. We’ve covered discriminatory efforts to prevent trans people from using the correct bathrooms and locker rooms both in and outside of schools. Now, a growing number of Republicans are trying a slightly different angle, arguing that schools are overstepping parental “rights” if they affirm trans kids. A recent example comes out of Arkansas, where Republican Sen. Tom Cotton proposed an anti-trans bill that would ban public schools from affirming a trans student’s gender identity without permission from the student’s parents or guardians, as reported by Arkansas Online. This would include, for example, using a student’s pronouns, allowing them to use the bathroom or locker room of their choice, or using their chosen name. And if a school was to found to affirm the student without parental permission? The school would be at risk of losing federal funding.  Read more