Fact Check: The Story of January Littlejohn and Her Child's Gender Identity at School

In a recent address, former President Donald Trump mentioned January Littlejohn, sparking widespread curiosity regarding the veracity of his assertion that her child was "secretly transitioned" at school. This claim has led to a deeper examination of the events surrounding January Littlejohn's family and their interaction with the school system.

Who is January Littlejohn?

January Littlejohn and her husband found themselves in the spotlight after filing a lawsuit against the Leon County School District in Florida. The lawsuit, initiated in 2021, alleged that the school had failed to inform them about their child's gender identity and the social transition that was taking place. This legal action brought significant attention to the policies concerning gender identity in schools.

Despite the claims made in the lawsuit, emails obtained by CNN and the Tallahassee Democrat suggest a narrative that contradicts the Littlejohns' allegations. According to these sources, January Littlejohn was already aware of her child's gender identity and had communicated this to the school staff. An email from August 2020, reportedly from Littlejohn to a teacher, indicated that her child was identifying as non-binary and preferred to be addressed by a new name and gender-neutral pronouns.

The email stated: "This has been an incredibly difficult situation for our family, and her father and I are trying to be as supportive as we can. She is currently identifying as non-binary. She would like to go by the new name [redacted] and prefers the pronouns they/them. We have not changed her name at home yet, but I told her if she wants to go by the name [redacted] with her teachers, I won’t stop her."

In response, the teacher expressed gratitude for the communication and inquired about sharing this information with other teachers. This exchange indicates that there was no secrecy on the part of the school regarding the child's gender identity.

The Legal Battle

Following this initial correspondence, the Littlejohns pursued legal action against the school board. They challenged the school’s use of a Transgender/Gender Nonconforming Student Support Plan, asserting that it was implemented without proper notification to them as parents. They argued that the school district's approach violated their rights as parents.

However, the federal court dismissed the lawsuit, citing a "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Despite this setback, the Littlejohns opted to appeal the decision, continuing their legal battle.

This case occurred against the backdrop of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the "Don’t Say Gay" bill. The legislation, passed in 2022, initially included a controversial amendment. This amendment would have required schools to inform parents if a student disclosed a sexual orientation other than heterosexual within a six-week period. Critics argued that this could endanger students by forcing schools to "out" them to their parents prematurely.

Ultimately, the amendment was withdrawn by its sponsor, Republican state Rep. Joe Harding, who claimed it was misinterpreted and decided to focus on the broader aspects of the bill aimed at increasing parental involvement in education.

Current Status

Today, January Littlejohn is involved with "Do No Harm," an organization that purports to protect the healthcare system from what it describes as "woke activists" and the "consequences of identity politics." Her story continues to be a focal point in discussions about parental rights, education policies, and transgender issues in the United States.

The narrative surrounding January Littlejohn and her child highlights the complexities of navigating gender identity within educational settings and the legal challenges that can arise when parental rights are perceived to be at odds with school policies.

What do you think about this situation? Share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments below, but please keep the discussion respectful and considerate of different viewpoints.