California Gives More Protection for Transgender Students

What matters more? A parent’s right to know what their child does behind school doors? Or a child’s right to privacy and individuality? This topic has been the subject of heavy and heated debate in California as of late. An anti-trans group tried but failed to limit trans students’ rights through ballot measures, and the California Legislature passed a law in favor of the children.

Recently, a group called Protect Kids California proposed a measure that would harshly limit the rights of trans youth, and cost them medical gender-affirming care, in addition to the right to privacy at school. This measure, with about 100,000 fewer signatures than needed, did not qualify for the ballot. However, while the trans people of California celebrate, the organization that came up with the measure is still committed to getting it on the ballot soon.

Advocates of the measure framed it as one that protects “parental rights.” Students would be restricted to the bathroom of their assigned gender, and schools would legally have to notify parents when a student asks to be treated outside their biological gender role.

Recently though, a proposed ban on forcing schools to notify parents was passed, giving what feels like an important step in the right direction for trans kids in California. 

Trans students are overjoyed by these developments, as for many, school is one of the only places where they can experiment with trusting friends and people who acknowledge who they truly want to be. 

“So much about being a teacher is that relationship with your students, and if they can’t trust you then that teaching environment won’t work,” said English teacher Amanda Staab, who advises the Pride Club. “It would really hurt me to be forced to report students just for using their pronouns.”

Gender-affirming health care and the ability to present at school is a lifeline for many transgender youth. Not everyone can safely transition at home, and school provides them that opportunity to feel things out and be authentic. Gender-diverse student Jassy Diaz finds this issue personal and upsetting.

“Pronouns may be seen as small and not a big deal, but something as simple as the pronouns I use could make my life complicated in a way it doesn’t have to be,” said Diaz. Diaz’s concern specifically lies in the idea of being reported to their parents. “We need the respect and privacy from school that we deserve as people.”

Forcing this on school staff would make them be part of something they may not want to be involved in, and traumatic for the students who get reported. Many parents have reservations, and that’s what makes this topic such a divisive one. The recent rulings have been win after win for trans kids in California, and students can only hope that this hot streak of positive changes only keeps going.