SAN DIEGO — New legislation recently approved by the State Senate would prohibit California schools from informing parents if their child identifies as transgender.
While supporters say this is about protecting students, opponents are calling it a "government-imposed wall" between parents and their kids.
Both sides of this issue have said they want what is best for kids, but passionately disagree over the best way to achieve this.
"It is a difficult subject," said Lakeside resident Caryn Parr.
While most parents agree with that, they remain split over whether schools should be prohibited from informing parents if their student identifies as transgender.
"Parents have the right to know! They are their children," said one mom.
"If they're not supportive, then the children are just going to be a mess," countered Parr.
"This is ultimately about the safety and well-being of our youth," said San Diego Assembly Member Chris Ward. The Democrat authored AB 1955, known as "The Safety Act," would prevent school districts statewide from telling parents that their kids identify as LGBTQ. It would avoid what Ward describes as "forced outings."
"Although many LGBTQ youth have supportive families, some unfortunately continue to face rejection and are exposed to serious harm if forced to reveal their identity," he said.
"This bill is evil," said Republican Assembly Member Jim Patterson.
Opponents of this legislation, including Patterson, call it "The Parents Secrecy Bill."
"The state does not own our children," Patterson said. "They have no business getting between parents and children, especially on something as potentially damaging as this."
Last month, the Lakeside Union School District unanimously passed a "Parents Bill of Rights" ensuring parents are notified of anything pertaining to the well-being' of their kids, including transitioning their gender.
"It is the parent's right," said one mother who support the district's move. "No one can decide for them but their parents until their child is old enough to decide for themselves what they want to do with their life."
Lakeside parent Caryn Parr said she is on the fence, adding that she sees the harm that students could suffer if their parents are not supportive.
"This is a personal thing," she added. "I don't think the government or he schools or whatever it is should be in that situation. That's just not their job."
If AB 1955 is ultimately signed into law, policies like the one adopted in Lakeside would be invalidated.
"Students have a constitutional right to privacy, and we believe that morally everybody deserves the right to be able to come out on their own terms in a time and manner and place and to whom is on their own schedule," Ward said.
While the State Senate has already approved this legislation, mostly along party lines, it will now head to the Assembly for its vote in the coming weeks.
If ultimately passed. it would then go to Governor Newsom's desk for his signature, although at this point, he has not indicated whether or not he would support it.
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