On Wednesday, America First Legal (AFL) filed a lawsuit with co-counsel at Schaerr Jaffe LLP on behalf of a group of California parents and the City of Huntington Beach, California, against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Robert Bonta, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond over Assembly Bill 1955 (AB 1955). This is California’s egregious new law that prohibits schools from notifying parents about their child’s desire to change their sex and be referred to by incorrect pronouns.
On July 15, Governor Newsom signed AB 1955 into law. This law is an attack on fundamental parental rights. It prevents school districts from requiring parental notification if their child begins to exhibit gender confusion, such as by requesting to be called by a name and pronoun of the opposite sex. The law does not set an age limit—schools cannot notify parents even if preschoolers are being socially “transitioned.” It also prevents schools from disciplining employees who are initiating or facilitating social “transitioning,” which courts have recognized is a type of medical intervention or treatment that medical professionals have recognized can inflict serious short-term and long-term harm.
This law violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees the rights of parents to make decisions about their minor children regarding all medical treatment—in this case, social “transitioning.” Fit parents are presumed to act in the best interest of their child. The government cannot intervene in their relationship simply because it does not like the parents’ decision. Whether a child socially “transitions” or announces their sexuality is a personal and private issue, not an educational issue or one to be decided by the government. The State of California is thus intruding in a very personal, private matter—communication on one of the most intimate of topics between a parent and child—in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
In short, this law makes it illegal for schools to notify parents and, subsequently, help protect children from the dangers of gender ideology. Socially “transitioning” increases the likelihood of the child being placed on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. This can ultimately lead to life-altering, irreversible chemical castration, and gender mutilation.
AFL has long fought for parental rights. In September 2022, AFL sued to stop the Eau Claire Area School district from aiding children in “transition” while deceiving parents. In August 2023, AFL sued Washington’s Governor for allowing life-altering “care” to children without parental consent or knowledge. Furthermore, in November 2023, AFL sued Mesa Public Schools for promoting “gender transitions” of students without notifying parents.
America First Legal will do everything in its power to stop this dangerous law and to protect children and parents from state-sponsored gender extremism.
Statement from Stephen Miller, America First Legal President:
“America First Legal is proud to be leading the courtroom battle for parental rights and the defense of children nationwide,” said Stephen Miller.
Statement from Gene Hamilton, America First Legal Executive Director:
“The State of California is now using state law to force schools to hide a child’s desire to ‘gender transition’ from parents. This is outrageous. Parents—not the government or any school system—have the utmost right to raise their children and protect their children from this dangerous ideology. We are proud to represent these courageous parents and the City of Huntington Beach in this righteous fight against tyranny,” said Gene Hamilton.
Read the complaint here.
