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Parents rally against UConn law symposium on race, gender and sexuality

Dozens of parents’ rights advocates came to UConn Law’ in Hartford March 31, 2023, to protest a university sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”
Mark Mirko
/
Connecticut Public
Dozens of parents’ rights advocates came to the UConn School of Law building in Hartford on March 31, 2023, to protest a university-sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”

A crowd of parents gathered at the UConn School of Law building in Hartford Friday to protest a symposium questioning parental rights surrounding race, gender-affirming care and school curriculum.

The rally was organized by several conservative groups who believe their children are too young to learn about gender and sexuality. They say it should not be taught at school.

Christine Rebstock, who’s transgender, protested the symposium and believes these conversations should be held in the home and not in the classroom.

“You don’t need a curriculum to say ‘everyone’s different, let’s treat everyone with kindness and respect.’ This should come from the parents’ home, it’s a kitchen table issue,” Rebstock said.

A prayer circle is held at UConn Law where dozens of parents’ rights advocates arrived March 31, 2023, to protest a school sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”
Mark Mirko
/
Connecticut Public
A prayer circle is held at the UConn School of Law, where dozens of parents’ rights advocates arrived March 31, 2023, to protest a school-sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”

Anastasia Yopp, a board of education member in Newington, said parents should have more influence when it comes to their child’s education. Yopp is concerned she may not know everything her children are learning in school.

“I think parents should have a full say in everything their children are taught. They should be able to opt out of anything that is not aligning with their beliefs,” she said.

Yopp believes elementary school children are not old enough to learn about gender and sexual orientation and would support children learning about it in middle school or high school.

Zeus, held on leash by Kyle Zelazny, turns toward protestor Leslie Wofgang wearing a “Momma Bear” mask at the UConn Law School. Dozens of parents’ rights advocates came to UConn Law’s Hartford campus March 31, 2023, protesting a school sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”
Mark Mirko
/
Connecticut Public
Zeus, held on leash by Kyle Zelazny, turns toward protester Leslie Wofgang, wearing a “Momma Bear” mask at the UConn School of Law. Dozens of parents’ rights advocates came to the law school's Hartford campus March 31, 2023, protesting a school-sponsored symposium named “Are Parental Rights Always in the Best Interest of the Children: Race, Gender and Sexuality and the Conflict Over Parental Rights?”

Cadence Castro, a counterprotester, believes transgender children need privacy and autonomy.

“There are many cases where homophobic and transphobic parents can harm their children,” Castro said. “Children, for a reason, don’t feel comfortable telling their parents. School is often one of the only places they can feel that safety.”

The symposium was designed to use an academic lens to explore laws governing parents and children, according to UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz, who also said the law school values free speech, peaceful assembly and respects all who choose to publicly express their views. 

Lesley Cosme Torres is an Education Reporter at Connecticut Public. She reports on education inequities across the state and also focuses on Connecticut's Hispanic and Latino residents, with a particular focus on the Puerto Rican community. Her coverage spans from LGBTQ+ discrimination in K-12 schools, book ban attempts across CT, student mental health concerns, and more. She reports out of Fairfield county and Hartford.

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