California’s ‘anti-snitch’ law prevents forced outing of LGBTQ+ students

California took another step toward LGBTQ+ equality by passing a law that prohibits schools from forcing teachers to separate gay students from their parents.

The new law, adopted after a vote Monday (Dec. 23), would prohibit school districts from firing teachers who choose not to disclose a student’s sexuality to parents.

The proposal and subsequent passage of this law comes in response to several school districts in the state that have instituted policies requiring teachers to notify parents when a student expresses a non-cisgender or non-heterosexual identity. It was done.

“I don’t think teachers should be the gender police.”

“Teachers will still be able to talk to parents,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference Monday. “What they can’t do is fire a teacher for not being a whistleblower. I don’t think teachers should be the gender police.”

Chino, Temecula was among several districts that implemented “snitch” policies. The policy initially required staff to notify parents if a student used alternate or alternative pronouns. Bathrooms designated for different genders.

Shortly after the policy was announced, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the school district, arguing that the policy “could put transgender students at risk of imminent and irreparable harm.” It asked San Bernardino County Superior Court to immediately ban the policy. ” You might be out at home before you’re ready.

“[The law] This could not be more timely or necessary,” Equality California Executive Director Tony Huang told local media. KQEDadded that gay California youth may “breathe a sigh of relief.”

“We want LGBTQ+ youth to be able to have these important family conversations when they are ready and in a way that strengthens parent-child relationships, rather than the result of radical politicians intervening in parent-child relationships.” It became.”

The move is a welcome change from other U.S. states that have enacted statewide laws against forcing teachers to expel students.

Of the 574 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in the US in 2024, 223 would restrict the rights of students and educators, and 60 of them would force teachers to exclude LGBTQ+ students. .

Idaho, South Carolina, and Tennessee have all passed laws that would force teachers to expel students across school districts in their states.

Morgan Polikoff, an education professor at the University of Southern California, said California’s law was necessary despite opposition in more conservative areas of the state.

“Will people like this law?” Certainly not. Will it lead to conflict? There’s no question about it,” she said. “But we hope this will be good for gay kids in California schools and pave the way for similar efforts in other states.”