Schools Should Not Keep Secrets from Parents

The chair of the Assembly Education Committee, Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), announced April 10, that he will not allow AB 1314 to have a hearing, “not only because the bill is proposing bad policy, but also because a hearing would potentially provide a forum for increasingly hateful rhetoric targeting LGBTQ youth.” So a debate about keeping parents informed about what is happening with their children at school is interpreted as hatred toward LGBTQ identified youth. Consequently, discussion about topic is silenced. Read Muratsuchi’s press release here.

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was also quoted in the press release expressing support for refusing to have a hearing on AB 1314.  The Caucus justified the current CA Department of Education policy mandating teachers lie to parents about their child’s gender identity at school, because “not all trans or non-binary youth have such loving and supportive families.” This state policy pits public schools against parents who love their children, but also believe sex is determined by biology, not feelings.

Assemblyman Bill Essayli responded with the following statement:
“Today’s decision to deny a hearing on AB 1314 is symbolic of where Sacramento democrats stand on parental rights. They believe the government owns our children and that parents do not have a right to know what is happening with their own children at school. Gender dysphoria is a serious issue, and parents need to be aware of the associated mental health risks trans minors face. Studies are clear that trans minors do better with parental involvement. Leaving parents in the dark is dangerous and unconstitutional. 

“The Supreme Court has already ruled that parents have a fundamental right to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. While democrats have the votes to kill my bill in Sacramento, they do not have the votes to suppress parents’ voices at the local level. I encourage parents to continue bringing lawsuits against their school districts challenging existing policies that allow children to be socially transitioned at school without parental consent.”