Defending Education Files an Amicus Brief in International Partners for Ethical Care, Inc. v. Ferguson

On February 17, 2026, Defending Education filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in International Partners for Ethical Care v. Ferguson, a case in which plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality of a Washington state law that encourages gender-confused children to run away from home in order to seek so-called “gender-affirming treatment.” The state law ensures that when children run away from home, they will be hidden from their parents and referred for controversial medical care designed to confirm their non-biological gender identities without any parental involvement whatsoever. Washington has sent a message to parents who hold traditional views on sex and gender and want to raise their children consistent with those beliefs: Be quiet, or we will hide your child from you. This is not only an unconstitutional interference with long-recognized parental rights, they parents in the case have been left without legal recourse after the lower appellate court held that parents have no standing to challenge the law at all.

This case is one of national significance, and Defending Education is hopeful that The Supreme Court will grant Defending Education’s request for review, settle the outstanding legal questions, and bring desperately needed relief to parents and interested parties across the country.