A former Rochester school counselor, who faced backlash for exposing controversial gender policies in schools, is now advocating for parental rights in education.
Christina Barton, a licensed counselor from Rochester, testified at the Minnesota House last week in favor of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, a Republican-backed bill aimed at increasing transparency in education and empowering parents in decision-making regarding their children’s well-being.
Barton, who has previously spoken out against policies that keep parents in the dark about their children’s gender identity changes at school, emphasized the need for accountability.
“We must protect our children, respect parents, prioritize truth, transparency, and integrity in education,” she said during her testimony. “Some may urge us to ignore uncomfortable truths and pretend all is well, but this is dangerous.”
Former Rochester student counselor Christina Barton testifies in support of establishing a "Parent's Bill of Rights" in Minnesota: "When did we begin to prioritize policies that go against the rights of parents and children in favor a political agenda?"
Barton was kicked out of… pic.twitter.com/6KI6DVP0vA
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) February 27, 2025
The Parents’ Bill of Rights, carried by Republican Rep. Dawn Gillman, lists one dozen tenets of parents’ rights the state would recognize with respect to the education and upbringing of their children.
Barton’s advocacy comes after she says she faced retaliation for raising concerns about the Rochester district’s policies. She previously shared with Alpha News that school personnel attempted to silence her when she questioned directives on “transgender and gender-expansive students.” Those guidelines, she said at the time, were implemented without the public’s knowledge.
“As a counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how a system that silences advocates harms children,” Barton said. Speaking up came with professional consequences, but she remains committed to advocating for children and their families.
In addition to her advocacy, Barton ran for a seat on the Rochester school board in the November 2024 election. While she was not elected, her commitment to ensuring that parents have a strong voice in education remains unchanged. “When we fail to advocate for children, we fail them, and deceive them in the process,” Barton emphasized.
The Parents’ Bill of Rights has passed in committee and is continuing through the legislative process with opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
Despite the ongoing opposition, Barton remains resolute. “Despite the backlash, I will not be silenced. Parents should never be censored and neither should educators or counselors who stand up for what is right,” she concluded.
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
