The California Senate has passed a bill that critics say pits parents against teachers by allowing students to identify as transgender at school without their parents being notified. of AB-1955 The bill would prohibit school districts from requiring teachers or staff members to “disclose to anyone any information related to a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression without the student’s consent.” The bill passed the California Senate on Thursday by a vote of 29-8.
“LGBTQ+ students have the right to freely express themselves at school without fear, punishment, or retaliation, including the possibility of teachers or administrators ‘coming out’ to them without their permission,” the bill states.
Supporters say the bill would protect students.
“Forced outing can cause significant emotional and psychological harm, and in some cases can lead to homelessness and self-harm,” said Rep. Chris Ward, D-N.Y.
Critics say the bill is anti-family.
Republican Rep. Jim Patterson denounced the bill as “evil.”
“In my nearly 12 years as a state legislator, I have never seen such an effort to undermine the parent-child relationship,” Patterson said at a news conference hosted by the California Family Council.
He said the bill would create a “government-imposed wall” between parents and schools.
“The state does not own our children,” Patterson added, “and has no right to intervene between parents and children, especially in a potentially harmful matter like this.”
Greg Burt, Vice President California Family Councilwarned that the bill “would represent unprecedented and excessive government intrusion into the sacred bond between parents and children.”
“Parents have a God-given responsibility to guide and protect their children, especially during times of confusion and uncertainty,” Burt said. “AB 1955 not only undermines this fundamental right, it also puts children’s well-being at risk by isolating them from the people who love and care for them most. We must work resolutely to protect parental rights and ensure that families, not the government, are central to a child’s upbringing.”
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/IURII KRASILNIKOV
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.
