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Orange Unified Approves Policy To Out Trans Students To Parents
A person holds a sign in opposition to a similar Chino Valley policy during the vote on July 20, 2023 in Chino, California.
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David McNew
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Orange Unified School District passed a policy where the principal will notify parents if their child’s gender is different from the one assigned at birth, despite Attorney General Rob Bonta emailing the school board during the meeting threatening to “take action as appropriate to vigorously protect students civil rights.”
The policy broken down: School staff now have to notify the school counselor or psychologist if a child younger than 12 requests to use a different name, different pronouns, different restrooms or switches to a sex-segregated school program and activity different from their assigned sex at birth.
The school counselor or the psychologist will then inform the principal, who will notify the child’s parents within five days.
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Children over the age of 12 can refuse to have their parents notified. If school staff decides that notifying parents of a child over the age of 12 would pose a danger to the child, parents will not be notified.
Background: The OUSD board made the decision after hours of contentious public comment where some parents decried that the state “had declared war on parents.” LGBTQIA+ activists also spoke highlighting the need to protect trans kids from forced outings.
Earlier this week, a Supreme Court judge ruled that the Chino Valley Unified School District temporarily cannot enforce a similar policy. Bonta started the lawsuit in August stating that the policy violated California’s constitution.
And just yesterday, the California Legislature approved a bill that would fine school boards that banned books with LGBTQ+ and racial themes.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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