California lawmakers have introduced a new bill, the SAFETY Act, that would ban school districts from notifying parents if their child identifies as LGBTQ. This bill was added to Assembly Bill 1955 by Assemblymember Chris Ward through a process called “gut-and-amend.” The amended bill would prevent educators from informing parents about their students’ gender identity or sexual orientation. This move was prompted by school boards in California passing measures requiring teachers to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender or requests access to facilities meant for the opposite sex.
The SAFETY Act seeks to protect LGBTQ students from what has been termed as “forced outings” and would provide resources for their families. It would also shield educators from retaliation if they choose not to inform parents. Opponents of the bill argue that it keeps parents uninformed and goes against their rights to be involved in their children’s education. Some have deemed the bill unconstitutional, stating that it violates parents’ authority over their children. Critics also believe that the bill aims to hide its flaws from public scrutiny.
Assemblymember Ward has defended the bill by stating that it does not prevent parents from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with their children. He feels that these conversations should ideally be happening at home and that a student’s decision to come out should be respected as a personal choice. Proponents of the bill argue that while many parents are supportive, some young people do not feel accepted in their homes. They believe that schools can serve as a critical source of support, citing studies that affirming school environments reduce the odds of LGBTQ youth attempting suicide.
The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus supports the SAFETY Act, claiming that a student’s gender identity is a matter to be discussed between the child and their parents in a manner chosen by the family. They argue that no outside entities should be forcing families to have these conversations. The bill will be heard by the Senate Education Committee and, if approved, will return to the Assembly for further consideration before heading to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for approval. The debate over the SAFETY Act highlights the ongoing tension between parental involvement and the rights and needs of LGBTQ students in educational settings.
