A new bill would require California schools to tell parents that their child is transgender in the name of bolstering parents’ rights and helping children.
But critics argue the legislation would threaten LGBTQ students’ safety.
AB 1314, sponsored by Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli, would give school districts three days to notify parents in writing once a school employee learns a student is identifying as a gender that doesn’t align with their birth certificate or other official records. This could include asking to be identified by a different gender or participating in sports of the opposite gender.
“Public policy should never presume that a parent does not have the best interests for that child,” Essayli, who represents parts of western Riverside County, said at a Monday, March 13, news conference.
“ … Concealing information from parents is not only wrong, it’s dangerous and harmful to the emotional and physical safety of trans minors.”
Parents, Essayli said, “play a critical role in nurturing and supporting children and they cannot be removed from the equation.”
The news conference took place outside Jurupa Valley High School. In recent weeks, conservative media have picked up the story of Jessica Tapia, a teacher who said she was fired from the school for refusing to withhold information about students’ gender identity from parents.
Tapia said she asked school administrators “‘Are you asking me to lie?’ And they said ‘Yes. It’s the law. And it’s for the students’ privacy.’”
In an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, Tapia said the school district was forcing her to violate her Christian beliefs. She is represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative legal defense organization.
Jurupa Unified School District Superintendent Trenton Hansen said via email: “The district’s actions related to Ms. Tapia were based on its obligations under current state and federal law which protects…
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