California Senate Approves School Bill
The California Senate has approved a bill that would prevent school districts from requiring teachers to notify parents if their child requests to be addressed by a new pronoun at school. This measure is part of a broader effort to protect the rights and safety of gender-nonconforming students amid ongoing legal and political battles over parental rights and LGBTQ+ student protections.
The state Senate passed the proposal on Thursday, which aims to bar school districts from implementing policies that mandate school staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation without the student’s consent, with certain exceptions. The primary objective is to safeguard students who might face harm if their households are not supportive.
Kai, a transgender man and recent high school graduate from the Rocklin Unified School District near Sacramento, shared his personal experience to highlight the importance of the bill. Before coming out, Kai had been treated for suicide attempts and confided in a teacher he trusted. “Having a trusted adult is paramount to ensuring a queer kid makes it to their next birthday,” he said at a news conference. “If you care about kids, you’ll enact this legislation that will protect their well-being and protect their lives.”
The bill was approved along party lines after an emotional debate where Democratic LGBTQ+ senators shared personal stories about coming out to their families. They argued that gender-nonconforming students should be allowed to come out on their own terms. However, Republican lawmakers contended that the state should not interfere with school district policies on parental notification, emphasizing the need for transparency between schools and parents.
This legislation is part of a national conversation about the rights of parents and LGBTQ+ students in schools. Across the country, various states are enacting bans on gender-affirming care, restricting trans athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, and requiring schools to inform parents of any changes to their child’s gender identity or emotional well-being. Some state lawmakers have introduced bills with broad language mandating parental notification of any significant changes in a child’s emotional health.
Republican state Sen. Kelly Seyarto from Murrieta argued for increased transparency, suggesting that parental involvement could help develop solutions that work for everyone. Greg Burt, vice president of the conservative Christian group California Family Council, echoed this sentiment, stating, “You don’t assume that all parents are unsafe. That shouldn’t be the assumption.”
The bill now moves to the state Assembly, where it must pass through committees and floor votes before potentially reaching Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Newsom administration has been actively involved in disputes with school boards over similar notification policies.
Legal battles over these policies are ongoing in California. In August, Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the Chino Valley Unified School District, arguing that its notification rule discriminated against gender-nonconforming students. A judge tentatively blocked parts of this policy, leading the district to revise its rules. Conversely, in the Escondido Union School District case, a judge tentatively ruled against reprimanding teachers for notifying parents about their child’s gender identity change.
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who is lesbian, shared a personal account of being outed to her mother at 16, leading to her expulsion from home. Menjivar’s story underscores the potential dangers queer students face when outed without their consent. She recounted, “I came home to literally all my things on the front lawn because I was kicked out.” Menjivar had to hide her identity until she was 25 and still faced non-acceptance from her mother.