A GREAT DAY TO BE GAY IN CALIFORNIA OR NOT
In a bizarre turn of events, the Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) has found itself in hot water over a policy that could potentially "out" its students. Yes, you read that right. In 2023, we are still dealing with this kind of nonsense.
The policy, which was passed by a narrow vote of 4-3, requires schools to notify parents if their child asks to be identified by a different gender, a name other than their legal name, or takes part in programs that don't align with the gender on their official records. Because apparently, in the year 2023, we still think it's okay to force people into boxes that don't fit them.
But fear not, concerned citizens! The California Attorney General's office has launched a civil rights investigation into the matter. And let's be real, if there's one thing that will strike fear into the hearts of school districts everywhere, it's the California Attorney General's office.
Attorney General Rob Bonta has called out the policy for what it is: a threat to the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ students. And honestly, who could argue with that? It's hard enough being a teenager without having to worry about being outed to your parents and potentially subjected to harassment and violence.
But of course, there are always those who will defend even the most ridiculous policies. The CVUSD board president, Sonja Shaw, has defended the policy as a "parental right." Because apparently, parents have the right to know every single detail about their child's life, even if it puts their child at risk.
The policy has sparked outrage from all corners, with students, parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and advocates all speaking out against it. Even the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, spoke out against it at a heated board meeting in July. And let's just say things got pretty wild. Thurmond was escorted out by police. Yes, you read that right. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction was escorted out by police. Only in 2023, folks.
But let's not forget the real victims here: the poor school staff who are now tasked with notifying parents if their child wants to use a different name or pronoun. Can you imagine? "Hello Mrs. Johnson, I just wanted to let you know that your son Timmy wants to be called Tina now. Have a great day!"
It's hard to say what the long-term impact of this investigation will be. But one thing is for sure: it's about time we start taking the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ students seriously. Let's hope this investigation is just the first step in a much-needed change.
In conclusion, let's all take a moment to appreciate just how ridiculous this whole situation is. In 2023, we are still fighting over basic human rights. It's like we're stuck in some kind of time warp where progress is impossible and common sense is a thing of the past. But hey, at least we can still laugh about it. Right? Right?
California investigates district's parental notification policy on students' gender identity https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/california-investigates-districts-parental-notification-policy-student-rcna98519 via @nbcnews
California Attorney General’s office launches civil rights investigation into Chino Valley Unified | EdSource https://edsource.org/updates/california-attorney-generals-office-launches-civil-rights-investigation-into-chino-valley-unified
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
On August 4, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that his office was opening a civil rights investigation into Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) for its policy of requiring district staff to notify parents if their child asks to be identified by a different gender, a name other than their legal name or accesses a bathroom or takes part in programs that don't align with the gender on their official records.
Bonta said that the policy "threatens the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ students vulnerable to harassment and potential abuse from peers and family members unaccepting of their gender identity." He also said that the policy "violates the California Department of Education's (CDE) guidance on transgender students' rights, which explicitly states that schools should not require students to disclose their gender identity to their parents."
The CVUSD policy was passed in July 2023 by a vote of 4-3. The board's president, Kevin Jeffcoat, said that the policy was necessary to protect students from abuse. However, critics of the policy said that it would put transgender students at risk of being outed to their parents and subjected to harassment and violence.
The civil rights investigation is being conducted by the CDE's Office of Civil Rights. The office will review the CVUSD policy and determine whether it violates state or federal law. If the office finds that the policy is discriminatory, it could take a number of actions, including issuing a cease and desist order, requiring the district to make changes to the policy, or filing a lawsuit against the district.
The investigation is the latest in a series of legal challenges to transgender student rights in California. In 2019, the CDE issued guidance on transgender students' rights, which explicitly states that schools should not require students to disclose their gender identity to their parents. The guidance was met with opposition from some parents and conservative groups, but it has been upheld in court.
The CVUSD investigation is also the latest in a series of actions by California Attorney General Rob Bonta to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Californians. In 2022, Bonta sued the state of Alabama over its ban on transgender students participating in school sports. The lawsuit is still pending.
The civil rights investigation into CVUSD is likely to take several months to complete. In the meantime, the district is continuing to implement its policy. It is unclear what the long-term impact of the investigation will be, but it is a sign that the state of California is committed to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ students.
FROM BING AI
- - The California Attorney General's office launched a civil rights investigation into the Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) on August 4, 2023, over its policy of forcing schools to disclose students' gender identity to their parents without their consent¹².
- - The policy, which was adopted by the CVUSD board in July 2023, requires schools to notify parents within three days if their child requests to use a name or pronoun different from their official records, or if they access facilities or participate in programs that do not align with their assigned gender at birth¹²³.
- - The Attorney General, Rob Bonta, said that the policy could violate students' civil and privacy rights, as well as expose them to potential harm, harassment, and discrimination from peers and family members who may not accept their gender identity¹²⁴.
- - Bonta also said that the policy could conflict with California's anti-discrimination laws, which protect students from bias and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression¹⁵.
- - The CVUSD board president, Sonja Shaw, defended the policy as a parental right and accused the Attorney General of overstepping his boundaries and bullying the district¹²⁴.
- - The policy sparked controversy and protests from students, parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and advocates who expressed fear and outrage over its potential impact on transgender and gender nonconforming students¹²³⁴.
- - The policy also drew criticism from state officials, including the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, who spoke against it at a heated board meeting in July and was escorted out by police¹²⁴.
Bing, 8/8/2023
(1) Attorney General Bonta Launches Civil Rights Investigation into Chino .... https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-launches-civil-rights-investigation-chino-valley-unified.
(2) California Attorney General’s office launches civil rights .... https://edsource.org/updates/california-attorney-generals-office-launches-civil-rights-investigation-into-chino-valley-unified.
(3) California AG to probe school district over policy requiring staff to .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/california-ag-probe-school-district-policy-requiring-staff-out-trans-students.
(4) undefined. https://bing.com/search?q=.
(5) AG investigates Chino school district's parental notification policy on .... https://abc7.com/chino-rob-bonta-investigation-gender-identity/13603292/.
(6) California school board battles over LGBTQ+ rights intensify after .... https://news.yahoo.com/california-school-board-battles-over-235739342.html.
(7) Proposed transgender restrictions at Chino Valley Unified ... - EdSource. https://edsource.org/2021/proposed-transgender-restrictions-at-chino-valley-unified-fails-after-student-outcry-and-state-warning/663892.
(8) Proposed Transgender Restrictions At Chino Valley Unified Fail After .... https://laist.com/news/education/proposed-transgender-restrictions-at-chino-valley-unified-fail-after-student-outcry-and-state-warning.
(9) Chino Valley school district votes in favor of controversial gender .... https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/chino-valley-school-district-votes-in-favor-of-controversial-gender-identification-policy/.
(10) Frequently Asked Questions - California Department of Education. https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/faqs.asp.
(11) Laws & Regulations - Resources (CA Dept of Education). https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/.
(12) LGBTQ Students — Know Your Rights - ACLU of Southern California. https://www.aclusocal.org/en/lgbtq-know-your-rights.
(13) Legal Advisory - Equal Opportunity & Access (CA Dept of Education). https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/legaladvisory.asp.
(14) undefined. https://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=13528526.
