A radical bill in Colorado, under the guise of providing “legal protections for transgender individuals,” is being rushed through the General Assembly by activist legislators. They are the same ones who call opponents of the bill “hate groups,” equating them with the KKK, and said they echo “hateful rhetoric … against the trans community.”

While supporters claimed the bill is about “civil rights,” it directly threatens parent-child relationships, schools and businesses.

The proposed legislation unconstitutionally limits free speech, religious freedom and parents’ rights to provide for the care, nurturing, and moral and religious upbringing of their children.

Real civil rights don’t take away rights from others.

HB 1312, “Concerning Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals,” actually gives special rights to those with a psychiatric condition listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), as “gender dysphoria.”

The bill was introduced late in the day on Friday, March 28.

On Monday a committee hearing was scheduled for the next day, April 2, giving opponents little time to rally opposition.

While more than 100 people testified against the legislation, the vote passed out of committee with a 7- 4 vote along party lines.

Homeschool families in Illinois are currently pushing back on a bill that threatens their parental autonomy and rights.

As currently proposed, the “Homeschool Act” or HB 2827, requires parents who want to educate their children outside of the traditional system to sign a “homeschool declaration form” — or face jail time.

It would also demand that parents doing the teaching have a high school diploma or GED. State officials would reserve the right to inspect and critique curriculum.

The “Land of Lincoln” is one of a dozen states known for steering clear of any meddling with homeschool families. While 38 other states do require parents to sign a declaration to educate in their homes, none of them have criminalized those who do not. Illinois would be the first.

Those behind the bill claim oversight is necessary to ensure the proper education and personal protection of the state’s students.

“It is an empirical reality that abuse and neglect occurs in homeschool settings, and that abusive caregivers can deliberately exploit the cover of homeschooling to isolate children — not educate them,” claimed Jonah Stewart, interim executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CFRHE).

“While research has yet to settle the question in terms of rates of abuse by school status, all children deserve protections from abuse,” he added.

On Monday, Vice President JD Vance fulfilled a promise to his mom, Beverly Aikins, to celebrate her 10-year sobriety anniversary at the White House.

The vice president led a celebration for his mom and roughly 20 family members in the White House’s Roosevelt Room on April 7.

For years, Beverly struggled with drug abuse and addiction to alcohol, heroin, and other drugs. As a result, Vance was largely raised by his grandmother, whom he calls “Mamaw,” who passed away in 2005. The vice president’s family story is depicted in the hit movie Hillbilly Elegy, based on his 2018 book.

In his brief remarks at the celebration, Vance looked at his mom and said, “I remember when I gave my RNC convention speech, which was the craziest thing, I even said during the speech that we would have your 10-year medallion ceremony at the White House.”

“Well, here we are. And you made it, and we made it. And most importantly, you’re celebrating a very, very big milestone. And I’m just very proud of you,” he said, tearing up. “I’m gonna try not to cry here.”

Vance reflected further upon Beverly’s healing, growth, and inspiriting story of redemption and reconciliation:

“When I think about everything you’ve accomplished over the last 10 years and the fact that, when I was thinking about becoming a father, I didn’t know whether you would live long enough to have a relationship with my kids.”

Multi-state health conglomerate Common Spirit refused to serve a Colorado Springs family after parents objected to a doctor’s inappropriate and ideologically driven questions.

Melissa and her husband, Carlos, are no strangers to the medical system’s disregard for parent’s rights.

The devout Christian couple shuttled their four children to doctor’s appointments in several different states during Carlos’ more than 20-year military career.

So, when thirteen-year-old Ricardo needed a physical to play football, the couple gave him a heads up.

“I just asked, ‘Hey, if they ask you if they want us to leave the room, are you comfortable with that?’” Melissa explained.

Years earlier, in Virginia, doctors had asked one of their daughters if she was sexually active or used drugs — after asking Melissa to leave the room.

“She didn’t really know what to say,” she recalled her daughter’s hesitance to answer questions alone. “[But] our children [are used] to respecting their elders, so she just said, ‘Okay.’”

When Ricardo said he would be uncomfortable talking to the doctor alone, Carlos and Melissa helped him prepare to say so.

Forewarned and forearmed, they hoped their respectful, shy son would feel free to be honest in a way their daughter had not.