California Passes Law to Keep Students’ Gender Transitions Secret from Parents

On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) signed a controversial bill into law that would forbid schools from notifying parents if their children have decided to “transition” their gender.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, polling has suggested that the law is widely unpopular with voters nationwide as well as within California. A poll from Rasmussen in June of 2023 shows that over 60% of likely voters in California support schools informing the parents about a child’s desire to “transition.” A national poll by the Center Square in November saw two-thirds of respondents say that schools should let parents know.

The law in question, the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth (SAFETY) Act, overturns the policies implemented by several school districts throughout the state which make it mandatory for schools to notify parents when their children start going by a different name and different pronouns. The law also implements protections for teachers who deliberately shield such “transitions” from parents, forbidding them from being fired or facing other forms of discipline.

The legislation is also likely to face legal challenges, as one state lawmaker has already vowed to file a lawsuit against it. State Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Calif.) declared that the new law is “both immoral and unconstitutional.”

“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom defied parents’ constitutional and God-given right to raise their children by signing #AB1955 which codifies the government’s authority to keep secrets from parents,” Essayli stated on X. “#AB1955 endangers children by excluding parents from important matters impacting their child’s health and welfare at school.”

Newsom’s decision to sign the bill comes as the California Governor faces a new level of national scrutiny. As calls increase within the Democratic Party for Joe Biden to step down due to his age and increasing senility, Newsom has frequently been named as one of the most likely replacements for Biden at the Democratic National Convention in August.