California SUES school district that required teachers to notify parents if their child changes their gender identity or pronouns

The California Attorney General is suing a school district over a new policy that requires teachers to notify parents if their child changes identities or pronouns.

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday the lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District in Southern California, alleging that its “parental notice” policy (5020.1) is discriminatory and violates both civil rights and privacy laws, according to a press release.

He claimed the policy puts transgender and gender-nonconforming students in “danger of imminent, irreparable harm” by putting them at risk of being ostracized from their households “before they are ready.”

In July, the district school board held a public meeting to discuss whether to pass the policy, which requires, in part, school staff to “eliminate” transgender and gender-nonconforming students from their parents or guardians, without their consent and even against their express wish. the court case.

More than 80 community members — holding up signs and flags — attended and spoke out against the forced disclosure policy.

At the rally, more than 80 members of the public spoke out against the forced disclosure policy. Among them, with placards and flags, were present and former students, teachers, parents, mental health professionals and advocacy groups

These community members included current and former students, teachers, parents, mental health professionals and advocacy groups who warned that the policy would put transgender and gender nonconforming students at risk.

A current CVUSD transgender student said at the rally, “This policy threatens my safety” and “tells me I don’t belong.”

They continued, “52 percent of trans children feel accepted at school, but only 35 percent feel accepted at home. This leaves a large gap of children who feel welcome at school, but not at home.

‘Feeling safe at school reduces the risk of suicide. If a student is not out with their parents, they will be “shut up” in school (Policy 5020.1). That’s a miserable place to be.’

Another LGBTQ+ and current CVUSD student added, “(D)his policies will destroy the lives of children who shouldn’t live in fear because they are their true selves.”

Many of the adults read letters to the board written by LGBTQ+ students or Chino Valley individuals saying they “feared for their safety,” as described in the lawsuit.

A transgender student wrote in a letter: “If a student is sent to his family without permission, it could potentially result in abuse, hate crimes, being evicted and, in extreme cases, being killed.”

The move comes after Chino Valley Unified passed the policy following a leadership shift on the school board. The school district currently has over 26,000 students.

Other Southern California counties have adopted similar policies, and Bonta said he believes they too will be affected by this lawsuit. Although those school districts were not named in the lawsuit.

Bonta is requesting a court order to halt the implementation of the policy immediately.

He told reporters: ‘It tramples on students’ rights’ ABC 7 News reported.

Pictured: Members of the Chino Valley United School District

Under the policy, schools in Chino Valley will notify parents in writing within three days if district officials become aware that a student is requesting to be identified or treated as a gender different from the official records.

Parents are also notified if students access gender-segregated activities, such as sports teams, or use restroom facilities that do not match the student’s stated gender, according to the policy.

The policy also outlines steps for schools to notify parents of injuries or threats to their children and suicide attempts.

Andi Johnston, a spokesman for Chino Valley Unified, said the district is working with its attorneys to review the lawsuit and has so far provided state officials with requested documents in response to a subpoena.

Chino Valley’s newly elected board chairman, Sonja Shaw, said the lawsuit is not a surprise and that the state government has repeatedly taken steps “to keep parents out of their children’s lives.”

“We will stand our ground and protect our children with everything we can because we are not breaking the law,” Shaw told the news channel.

Parents have a constitutional right to the education of their children. Period of time.’

The Chino Valley Unified School District is not alone in this debate, but belongs to several Southern California communities that have also sparked heated debates between those who say parents have a right to know what decisions their children make in school and those who say such decisions would forcefully exclude transgender students and endanger the well-being of some of the most vulnerable children.

The lawsuit is asking the San Bernardino County Superior Court to immediately ban this practice.”

“They are really afraid that the district’s policy will force them to make a choice: either their constitutionally and legally protected rights to gender identity and gender expression ‘reduce’ or risk emotional, physical and psychological harm from non-parents or guardians confirm or deny,” the lawsuit said.