MAGA-aligned groups, such as the listed hate group Moms For Tyranny Liberty, have been pushing for the adoption of “parental rights” policies in public schools. The hate group claims to support “family autonomy“: “We attend local school board meetings, meet with local politicians and political committees to ensure that our voices are being heard. We stand for parental rights and family autonomy.”

Tennessee this year passed a parental rights bill, which states that “The liberty of a parent to the care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of the child, is a fundamental right.”

In 2019, MAGA members of Congress proposed a Parental Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

It sounds impressive. It asserts a set of fundamental rights that, on its surface, ought to apply to every parent, including parents of LGBTQ+ minors. A reasonable person could make a case for enacting such a declaration – if only its designers actually meant it.

But with most things MAGA, actions speak much louder than MAGA’s lying words. Do the following actions reflect any genuine, impartial respect for the rights of parents?

“Texas Supreme Court OKs state child abuse inquiries into the families of trans kids.” and “Texas bill could send parents to prison for providing gender-affirming care.” Do these actions look anything like they respect the belief that “(c) All parental rights are exclusively reserved to a parent of a child without obstruction by or interference from a government entity, including the following rights and responsibilities: … (3) To make all physical and mental healthcare decisions for the child and consent to all physical and mental health care on the child’s behalf”?

“Idaho lawmakers seek to punish parents who take trans youth to other states for health care.” Again, whatever happened to “(c) All parental rights are exclusively reserved to a parent of a child without obstruction by or interference from a government entity, including the following rights and responsibilities: … (3) To make all physical and mental healthcare decisions for the child and consent to all physical and mental health care on the child’s behalf”?

“Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signs flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ bills.” So much for the right wing canards about “medical freedom” and “protecting doctor’s rights.” MAGA is inserting government into the lives of parents, doctors and patients in the most brutish forms imaginable.

These are but a handful of examples of blatant MAGA disregard and contempt for parental rights. On paper, these asserted rights should protect all parents equally Rights are rights. Family autonomy ought to be just that.

But as Madeleine Albright warned, a fascist “is someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence and whatever other means are necessary to achieve the goals he or she might have.”

Utterly unconcerned for the rights of others. The fascists won’t hesitate to trample all over the autonomy of families with LGBTQ+ members. That’s MAGA to the letter.

“Welcome to the cultural authoritarianism era.” So much for “parental rights.” Uh-huh. Sure.