Starting this week’s newsletter is California and the ongoing battle over parental rights. A bill headed to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk would ban California schools from telling parents about their children’s gender transition.

“Assembly Bill 1955 would prohibit school staffers and volunteers from informing parents about their child’s ‘sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression’ without the student’s consent, seeking to thwart parental notification policies passed by local school boards,” The Washington Times’ Valerie Richardson writes.

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Pro-Palestinian protesters crash Pride Month parades

Anti-Israel protesters spent a chunk of Pride month crashing LGBTQ parades and making known their pro-Palestinian sentiments.

“At the NYC Pride Parade, 10 people were taken into custody after protesters threw red paint on the street and on a truck pulling a Human Rights Campaign float, according to local news reports,” Ms. Richardson writes. “In Toronto, the parade was canceled altogether about an hour after pro-Gaza activists brought the procession to a standstill.”

Read more about the splintering these acts expose here.

Textbook firms pull back from gender identity materials

Textbook publishers Scholastic and Pearson have distanced themselves from a push to replace biological sex with gender identity in K-12 classroom discussions after the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank publicized their materials, reports The Washington Times’ Sean Salai. Read more here.

Pro-life activist punished

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn received three years of supervised release for his participation in a 2021 protest outside an abortion facility. He avoided a prison sentence that could have come amid allegations he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Here’s the full story.

Eric Metaxas’ warning about the Christian faith and politics

Author, speaker and radio host Eric Metaxas has a strong warning for Christians who think they shouldn’t be politically involved: “Our faith is to be brought into every relationship, into every sphere of influence we have.” Listen to what else Mr. Metaxas has to say in his interview with The Washington Times’ Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell.

Promise Keepers tackles challenges facing men

Christian men’s ministry Promise Keepers is back in action with new leadership and a renewed vigor to inspire men to live faithful lives. Led by CEO Shane Winnings — an ex-cop and military veteran — the group is making new headway.

“Our vision is to equip men to live boldly in this hour. And my heart really is that Philippians 2 call of being a light in a twisted and perverse generation,” Mr. Winnings told Higher Ground. “I want to help men rise up and not just survive through the day, but actually thrive and shine as a light for Christ.” Read more about the mission here.

Antisemitism’s rampant rise

Antisemitism is on the rise, according to recent Gallup polling, which found 81% of adults viewing antisemitism as a “very” or “somewhat” serious problem, up from 57% in 2003.

Meanwhile, debate surrounds the National Education Association Representative Assembly, which reportedly has some pro-Palestinian delegates seeking to pass a slew of anti-Israel resolutions over the objections of Jewish members. Here’s more.

In our opinion

Everett Piper explains why he believes “children do best when they have a mother and father bound to each other in marriage.”

And Mr. Hallowell breaks down what he believes critics of the new Louisiana law mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms are totally missing.

Here are some other must-reads:

• Faith of the Founding Fathers: Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, reflects on the lives and legacies of the Founding Fathers. “They didn’t fight for fortunes or fame – but out of conviction of their Christian faith,” he writes. “They were fighting for their independence – but they also acknowledged their dependence of God.”
• Helping moms and babies: Autumn Christensen explores an essential question in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the return of abortion law to the states: “What does it look like to care for moms and babies two years into this Dobbs era?”
• Talking to kids about politics: And with the contentiousness of American politics comes a unique challenge for parents: How do you talk with your kids about President Biden, former president Donald Trump — and all of the associated drama? Jeff Grenell has some tips.