By Sarah Holliday
The Washington Stand
In November 2023, a poll found 68% of Americans across party lines believed parents should be notified “if their child changes their gender identification or preferred pronouns at school.” And while some are shocked this is a controversial topic to begin with, many are not-so shocked to learn the state of California has proven to be an epicenter of these debates.
When the Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) board, led by President Sonja Shaw, met in July to discuss a potential policy that would require parental notification if their children attempted gender transitions at school, they were confronted by California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Later, in August 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) sued CVUSD after they established a policy “requiring faculty and staff to notify parents of students’ attempted gender transitions,” The Washington Stand previously reported.
Now, the battle continues. Thurmond has brought a new bill to the table, AB 1955, which California Democrats are eager to codify into law. The bill reflects the views of Governor Gavin Newsom (D) which, in effect, would reverse the parent-friendly policy currently in place. The text states:
“This bill would prohibit school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and the state special schools, and a member of the governing board or body of those educational entities, from enacting or enforcing any policy, rule, or administrative regulation that requires an employee or a contractor to disclose any information related to a pupil’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to any other person without the pupil’s consent unless otherwise required by law, as provided.”
Thurmond, Newsom, and other supporters want to roll back the requirement of parents being notified when their children experience gender confusion at school. They claim it will prevent forcefully “outing” transgender-identifying students as well as decrease the risk of bullying. However, experts are pointing out that taking the say away from parents is not in students’ best interest.
On this point, Meg Kilgannon, Family Research Council’s senior fellow for Education Studies, commented to TWS, “California is working very hard to counter the efforts of local officials, like school board member Sonja Shaw, who wish to include parents in their child’s school day and protect children from counselors, teachers, or other school staff who seek to socially transition children without parental knowledge or consent.”
She continued, “Christian community leaders like Ms. Shaw are a great blessing to the parents of California and our nation.” What stands out about people like Shaw, who fought for parents to be notified of attempted gender transitions, is that they are “standing for the family preservation and honoring the fact that we are each made in the image and likeness of God.” It is faith like hers that allows us to “not waiver in this effort,” Kilgannon said.
Moving forward, she concluded, “We must pray for her and those like her who answer the cries of parents and the call of God to protect children from gender ideologues in public schools.”
Originally published at The Washington Stand!
