Alaska Family Council has joined dozens of other organizations across the country in submitting an amicus brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit regarding the case of Vitsaxaki v. Skaneateles Central School District.

Jennifer Vitsaxaki, the plaintiff, has filed a lawsuit against her local school district after her daughter was counseled and “socially transitioned” at school without her mother’s knowledge. Alaska Family Council adamantly supports the premise that children receive the best care when their parents play an active role in their lives, especially in situations as serious as a child experiencing gender dysphoria at a young age.

“Amici curiae therefore believe it is the parents, rather than the state, who know what is in the best interests of their minor children. . . Amici are united in their interest in ensuring that public schools do not continue to implement policies that interfere with the fundamental rights of parents in the upbringing of their children – policies that conceal information fundamental to a child’s identity, personhood, and mental and emotional well-being such as their preferred names and pronouns.”  Read the full document

More About Vitsaxaki v. Skaneateles Central School District

The case arose after Jennifer Vitsaxaki’s daughter began experiencing anxiety and academic difficulties while in seventh grade, leading her to meet regularly with school counselors and a psychologist. During these meetings, the school started “socially transitioning” her by using a preferred male name and “they/them” pronouns at school without informing or obtaining consent from her mother. School staff were specifically instructed to conceal this information from her mother until the student chose to share it herself. A formal “Gender Support Plan” later confirmed that school employees were directed to use a masculine name and third-person pronouns at school, while continuing to use the daughter’s legal female name in all communications with her mother to preserve the secrecy.

Vitsaxaki learned of her child’s social transition in May 2021 when a school principal revealed the information during a phone call. Vitsaxaki immediately objected and requested that the school cease using the alternate name and pronouns. The school continued using the name and pronouns, so Vitsaxaki withdrew her daughter from the district and enrolled her in a private school, incurring significant emotional and financial strain, including private school tuition and transportation costs. She later filed a federal lawsuit, claiming violation of her sincerely held religious beliefs (Free Exercise Clause), and of her fundamental parental rights (under the Fourteenth Amendment).

On March 20, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed the case, ruling that Vitsaxaki lacked standing for certain claims because her daughter was no longer enrolled in the school district. The court also ruled that the constitutional claims were not plausibly pleaded.

In response, Vitsaxaki filed a notice for appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on April 15, 2025. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, she argues that the district court erred in its ruling and maintains that the school district’s policies violated her constitutional rights as a parent and as a person of faith.

Here in the Great Land, numerous Alaska school districts are embracing transgender ideology while keeping parents in the dark about how their children are being treated and referred to during school hours. Please pray for this case in the 2nd Circuit now and pray for our efforts in Alaska to expose and address this issue regarding human flourishing and parental rights.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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