CPRC and ADF Take Fight for Parental Rights to Supreme Court in Foote v. Ludlow
July 18, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – In a pivotal move to defend parental rights and protect children, the Child & Parental Rights Campaign (CPRC), in partnership with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on July 18, 2025, in Foote v. Ludlow School Committee. This case challenges a Massachusetts public school’s clandestine facilitation of an 11-year-old girl’s social gender transition—without her parents’ knowledge or consent—and seeks to deliver a precedent-setting blow to the systemic spread of transgender ideology in schools nationwide.
The Case: A Betrayal of Parental Trust
At Baird Middle School in Ludlow, Massachusetts, school officials secretly supported an 11-year-old girl’s social gender transition, treating her as nonbinary, permitting her to use opposite-sex facilities, and conducting private counseling sessions to affirm her “gender identity.” Her parents were kept in the dark, and when they discovered the school’s actions and demanded they cease, officials shockingly claimed that the parents’ involvement could endanger their daughter’s safety. This betrayal of trust is not an isolated incident. Over 1,000 school districts across the United States have adopted similar secret transition policies, undermining parental authority and exposing children to potential irreversible harm.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Foote family’s claims, arguing that parental rights are diminished in public schools and that the school’s actions were not coercive because the child appeared to consent. This ruling exacerbates a dangerous split among federal courts: the Third and Eleventh Circuits recognize parents’ constitutional authority over intimate decisions like gender identity, while the First, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits grant schools broad discretion to override parents. This inconsistency demands Supreme Court intervention to provide clarity and protect families nationwide.
Why This Matters
Foote v. Ludlow is more than a single case—it’s a battle against a growing crisis. Over 40 similar lawsuits are pending across the country, reflecting the widespread adoption of policies that exclude parents from critical decisions about their children’s well-being. A Supreme Court victory could dismantle these harmful policies, striking at the heart of an ideology that encourages children to make life-altering decisions without parental guidance. “This case is about more than one family—it’s about stopping a dangerous ideology that’s infiltrating school districts across the country,” said Vernadette Broyles, CPRC President and General Counsel. “A Supreme Court victory in Foote v. Ludlow could dismantle secret transition policies nationwide, protecting children from harm and restoring parents’ rightful authority.”
The Stakes: A $1–2 Million Fight
Litigating a case at the Supreme Court is a monumental task, requiring hundreds of hours of legal work, top-tier expertise, and significant financial resources—estimated at $1–2 million. CPRC and ADF are calling on supporters to fund this critical battle, which could set a landmark precedent to halt the systemic push of transgender ideology in public education. Every dollar donated will directly support the legal efforts to secure a victory that protects parental rights and safeguards children’s futures.
How You Can Help
- Donate Now: Your contribution of $25, $50, $100, or more will fuel the fight to protect families and stop harmful school policies. Donate here.
- Spread the Word: Share this story on X to raise awareness about Foote v. Ludlow and the threat of secret transition policies. Follow @cprc_official for real-time updates and join the conversation to amplify our message.
A Call to Action
As Vernadette Broyles, a mother and attorney, passionately stated, “I’ve seen the devastation caused by schools secretly pushing children toward sex denial. Foote v. Ludlow is our opportunity to secure a ruling that could end this harmful practice nationwide.” This case represents a critical moment to reaffirm that parents, not schools, have the constitutional right to guide their children’s upbringing, especially on deeply personal matters like gender identity.
Join CPRC and ADF in this historic fight. Your support—whether through donations or raising awareness—can make the difference in protecting parental rights and ensuring a safer future for children across the nation.
Read the full Supreme Court Foote vs Ludlow Petition
Contact: Matt Chastain, CPRC Communications Director
mchastain at childparentrights.org | 706.338.1580
About CPRC: The Child & Parental Rights Campaign is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to defending parental rights and protecting children and women from the harms of gender identity ideology.