Commonwealth Policy Center

Parental rights is shaping up to be a major issue in the Kentucky governor’s race. Both the Republican and Democratic candidates say they are for parental rights. Yet they believe very different things. Current Governor Andy Beshear believes that parental rights are not in play when it comes to potentially objectionable sex education in public schools. Nor does he believe public school officials have a duty to tell parents if their child identifies as transgender. Beshear vetoed a bill that shored up parental rights in both instances. Interestingly, Beshear believes that parental rights are broadened when it comes to gender transitions of their own children. Parents deserve to know what their kids are being taught in schools. Yet, we all know that parental rights have limits, including transitioning their children’s gender.