Life
October 20, 2025

TMS WEEKLY DISPATCH 10/20/25

TMS WEEKLY DISPATCH 10/20/25

October 20, 2025
By
Kathryn Pluta
Article
October 20, 2025

TMS WEEKLY DISPATCH 10/20/25

Here’s the latest news from the past week at Thomas More Society, in our legal battles defending life, family, and freedom.

Welcome to the TMS Weekly Dispatch for October 20, 2025—with the latest news and updates from the front line, to keep you in-the-know on all things Thomas More Society. If you missed last week’s edition, you can read it here.

Here’s the latest:

FEDERAL JUDGE CERTIFIES CLASS ACTION FOR ALL PARENTS AND TEACHERS OPPOSING GENDER SECRECY RULES: On Thursday, October 16, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez certified a class action lawsuit representing all California parents and teachers affected by “Parental Exclusion Policies.” This means that Mirabelli v. Olson will now proceed on behalf of more than 300,000 California public school teachers and parents of more than 5 million California public school students.

Paul Jonna, TMS Special Counsel, reacted:

“This is a watershed moment for parental rights and religious freedom in education. Judge Benitez has recognized that California’s gender secrecy policies affect millions of families and teachers…With this class action certified, every affected parent and teacher in California now has a voice in court."

The next hearing in Mirabelli will take place on November 17. Last week’s class certification positions the upcoming hearing to potentially deliver a final ruling that would protect all California parents’ rights to know about their children’s gender confusion, and all teachers' rights to communicate honestly, in line with their faith.

·  Read the Order Granting Class Certification here.

·  Read selected media coverage here, here, and here.

TMS TESTIFIES BEFORE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE ON DHSS FAILURE TO ENFORCE PRO-LIFE LAWS: Last week, TMS Senior Counsel Matt Heffron testified during a legislative interim study pursuant to Legislative Resolution 238, an inquiry aimed at “[determining] the quality of patient services at abortion clinics in Nebraska and the nature and quality of state oversight of those clinics.”

Heffron testified regarding a detailed complaint that he submitted to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which alleges that the Bellevue Health and Emergency Clinic—also known as the Carhart abortion clinic—committed multiple, serious violations of Nebraska law.

“We submitted a meticulous, evidence-rich complaint detailing numerous serious violations. DHHS did next to nothing about any of them," explained Heffron. “Nebraska is a proud pro-life state. Laws protecting life must mean something.”

Watch the full testimony here.

PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH: In addition to being Respect Life Month, October is also Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. Thomas More Society stands in support of every parent who has suffered the tragic loss of a child. Every life is precious, no matter how small, and together, we celebrate the great blessing of every human life, infinitely valuable regardless of age, ability, or stage of development.

FEATURED ON SOCIAL: