The encroachment on free speech and truth continues apace when it comes to gender ideology.

The latest effort to suppress speech comes from Colorado in the United States where legislation is rapidly progressing through the state parliament that will punish parents for “deadnaming” and “misgendering” their own children.

“Deadnaming” is the language used by activists that refers to using a person’s birth name rather than the new name they have chosen as a transgender person. Likewise, “misgendering” refers to using someone’s biological pronouns rather than their chosen ones.

National Review reports that the new Bill:

“... would require courts making child-custody decisions to consider ‘deadnaming’ or ‘misgendering’ as types of coercive control. It says that courts ‘shall consider reports of coercive control when determining the allocation of parental responsibilities in accordance with the best interests of the child’.”

They also report the Bill goes further than the court system:

“The bill would also add deadnaming and misgendering to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and prohibit schools from enforcing dress codes based on gender norms, among other provisions.”

Like some of the recent Australian “conversion therapy” laws, this effectively outlaws any questioning or discussion about gender identity once they say they are transgender.

It also violates conscience and freedom of religion rights and the rights of parents to raise their children in line with their faith and with the biological reality of the nature of men and women.

The Centennial Institute, a think tank at Colorado Christian University, issued a strong statement to The Christian Post articulating the serious problems with the legislation:

“A government that claims to care for children while silencing parents and faith communities is not protecting liberty — it is directly violating it. Our laws must reflect eternal truth; not passing ideologies.”

HRLA has been active in defending the rights of parents and people of faith when anti-truth, anti-freedom legislation has been introduced in Australia.

But this case shows that there are many avenues for activists to pursue and it’s crucial to remain vigilant in defending the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, and parental rights.