California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed the first law allowing schools to conceal information about a child’s gender identity from parents. under AB-1955School districts are prohibited from requiring teachers or staff to disclose to anyone “any information related to a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression” without the student’s consent.
Newsom, a Democrat, did not issue a statement on the bill.
The new law would allow transgender students to discreetly identify as one gender at school and their birth gender at home, without their parents’ knowledge. California is the first state to enact such a law.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 61-16 and the Senate by a vote of 29-8, both of which are controlled by Democrats.
“Parents and families across California understand that coming out as LGBTQ+ is an extremely personal decision and want to support their children in coming out on their own terms,” the bill argues.
“Parents and families play a vital role in young people’s lives.“ The bill’s findings state: “Research confirms that LGBTQ+ youth thrive when they have parental support and feel safe sharing their identity with their parents, but forcing young people to share their entire identity before they are ready can be harmful.”
But critics of the new law say it infringes on parental rights and pits families against teachers.
Jonathan Keller, president of the Family Council of California, said: Said Governor Newsom’s bill signing is “a direct attack on children’s safety and parental rights”“
“By allowing schools to hide critical information from mothers and fathers, this bill would undermine their fundamental role and put boys and girls at potential risk.“ “Mothers and fathers have a constitutional and divine duty to guide and protect their children, and AB 1955 is a flagrant violation of this sacred trust,” Keller said.
Republican Rep. Bill Essari, who opposed the bill, said Newsom’s support “ignores parents’ constitutional and God-given right to raise their children.”
“AB 1955 puts children at risk by excluding parents from important issues that affect their children’s health and well-being in school.“ “Governor Newsom’s signing of AB 1955 is immoral and unconstitutional, and we will challenge it in court to stop the government from keeping secrets from parents,” Essari said.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Justin Sullivan/staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
