News Summary
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the Leon County school system’s right to support a student’s gender identity against parental objections. This decision stems from a dispute involving the Littlejohn family and their 13-year-old child, who wishes to use they/them pronouns. The court ruled that school officials acted within legal boundaries to support the child’s well-being, despite the parents’ claims of violated rights. This case underscores the growing tensions around parental authority and school policies concerning gender identity education.
TALLAHASSEE – The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the rights of the Leon County school system to support a student’s gender identity, despite parental objections. This ruling comes from a case involving a dispute between the school board and January and Jeffrey Littlejohn regarding their 13-year-old child, who has requested to change their name to “J” and use they/them pronouns while at school.
The appeals court, in a 2-1 decision released on July 17, 2025, declined further consideration of the case. This decision followed a previous ruling in March 2025 confirming the school officials’ actions were within legal parameters. The majority opinion from the court indicated that the case did not meet the threshold of “shocking the conscience,” a legal standard used to evaluate similar disputes.
Back in 2021, the Littlejohns filed a lawsuit against the Leon County School Board, Superintendent Rocky Hanna, and several school officials, arguing that their parental rights were violated. They claimed that the school had implemented a “Student Support Plan” for their child without informing or involving them in the process of the social transition. According to the court, the actions taken by school officials did not lead to any physical harm to the child, nor did they prevent the Littlejohns from retaining custody or attending meetings regarding their child’s support plan.
Judge Robin Rosenbaum noted that the school officials’ intent was to support the child, even if the approach taken was seen as misguided by the Littlejohns. The ruling also cited the school’s existing policy guide supporting such actions at the time of the child’s transition.
Following the appeals court decision, the Littlejohns’ attorneys, along with various conservative and parental rights organizations, voiced strong opposition to the ruling. Additionally, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Republican leaders from 19 states indicated support for the Littlejohns’ petition for a rehearing. However, the court revealed that no judges had requested a poll on this matter after the July ruling.
This case has garnered national attention, highlighting the ongoing conversations surrounding parental rights and transgender issues in educational settings. In 2022, the Leon County school system revised its policy guide related to LGBTQ issues, aiming to address situations similar to the one involving the Littlejohns more effectively.
January Littlejohn has since taken on an activist role, advocating for parental rights, including participating in national events alongside high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump. The case illustrates the broader context of increasing tensions between parental authority and school policies regarding student welfare, particularly relating to gender identity.
As the discourse continues, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions, setting the stage for ongoing legal and societal debates on this sensitive and crucial topic. The implications of this ruling may also influence future legislation and school policies as states navigate the complexities of gender identity and parental rights in education.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Appeals Court Rules for Florida School in Gender Identity Case
- Wikipedia: Gender Identity
- Tallahassee.com: Parents Lose Appeal Against Leon County Schools Over Child’s Gender Identity
- Google Search: Gender Identity Education
- Miami Herald: Florida Politics Articles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Tallahassee.com: Ruling Against Parents in Gender Identity Case
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
