Southern California school district to notify parents about child’s gender status.
Murrieta Valley Unified Schools to Notify Parents of Transgender Identification
Murrieta Valley Unified schools have implemented a new policy that requires parents to be notified if their child wishes to identify as transgender. The policy was approved by the district’s board after a heated community debate during an August 10th meeting.
The board voted 3-2 in favor of the policy, with trustees Paul Diffley, Nick Pardue, and Julie Vandegrift supporting it, while trustees Nancy Young and Linda Lunn dissented.
Under this new rule, schools must provide written notification to parents within three days if their child identifies as transgender, is involved in violence, or expresses thoughts of suicide. The policy is modeled after a similar one recently enacted by the Chino Valley Unified School District.
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In addition to transgender identification, parents will also be notified if their child requests to use names, pronouns, athletic programs, bathrooms, or locker rooms that do not align with their biological sex or gender. Any requests to change information in school records must also be communicated to parents.
Responding to concerns about the policy being too broad, the board included a provision allowing for modifications in the future.
Prior to the vote, trustee Nick Pardue, who introduced the policy alongside Paul Diffley, emphasized the importance of supporting parental rights. He stated, “The stakes are really, really high. We have young kids who are flirting with these different ideations about what their gender is at a very young age…and I think parents are very, very concerned about that.”
However, trustee Linda Lunn expressed her belief that passing the policy would make students feel unsafe in schools. Trustee Nancy Young agreed, expressing concerns about “outing” transgender students to unsupportive parents and the potential risks to their safety.
The meeting drew a crowd of over 150 parents, teachers, and community members, all with differing opinions on the issue. Those opposing the policy echoed the concerns raised by Trustee Young, emphasizing that it could make LGBT students feel unseen and undervalued.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and State Attorney General Rob Bonta also weighed in on the policy. Superintendent Thurmond requested the board to withdraw the proposal in a letter, while Attorney General Bonta denounced the district’s policy in a statement.
Supporters of the policy argued that parents have the right to know important details about their child’s life. One parent stated during public comment, ”The parents have the final responsibility for—and the greatest stake in—their children’s upbringing.” Another parent referred to the policy as a “safeguard to our right to parent.”
During the meeting, Chloe Cole, a 19-year-old detransitioner and activist from Northern California, shared her personal experience with gender dysphoria. She transitioned from a girl to a boy between the ages of 12 and 16 but later decided to de-transition and live as a female. Ms. Cole emphasized that while gender cannot be changed, there is an infinite range of personalities, and her experience may have been a harmless part of her journey.
The implementation of this policy has sparked intense debate and raised important questions about parental rights, student safety, and the well-being of transgender students.
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