The Glendora Unified School District Board of Education met Monday, Sept. 25 to discuss motioning to agenda a vote on adopting a controversial bill that would essentially “out” trans students to their parents.
This policy has drawn fierce criticism from the LGBTQ community and trans activist groups.
The proposed policy, known as The Parental Rights Policy by its supporters, has already passed in the Chino Valley and Orange Unified School Districts. The policy requires school officials to immediately inform parents of their child exhibiting gender nonconformity, questioning gender identity or any request by a child “to be identified or treated as” any gender other than that assigned at birth, regardless of the child’s consent.
The meeting was open to the public, and the crowd of nearly 80 attendees consisted of GUSD parents, teachers, concerned citizens and members of the Mt. SAC Pride Center, with a seemingly even split between support and opposition for the policy.
During public comment, those in favor said the bill would promote student safety and build trust between parents and teachers within the GUSD system. The term “student safety” was left intentionally vague and up to interpretation.
Those in opposition pointed out that forcibly outing queer, trans or gender non-conforming students without their consent is a direct violation of students’ right to privacy under California state law; this policy can expose these students to uncomfortable, hostile and even dangerous situations at home.
Mei Lin, an advocate with the Mt. SAC Pride Center and non-traditional students argued that forcibly outing students will only serve to make the lives of trans and gender non-conforming students more dangerous. Citing a 2021 study from the Trevor Project, she added that “28% of trans youth experience housing instability, homelessness, or worse, due to family rejection.” A problem that would only be exacerbated by the new policy.
Her sentiment was echoed by Dallas Smith, 21, another second-year student, who said, “Coming out is extremely delicate. It’s like disarming a bomb, and for every child, that should be on their own terms when they are ready.”
Other notable speakers included local activist Bree Robles, Mt. SAC Student Trustee César Alvarado and Spencer Wainwright, a father of a trans student within GUSD.
“The policy already in place addresses every concern listed in the new Parental Rights Policy, every concern that is except for many of those surrounding the forced outing of LGBTQ individuals,” Wainwright said in his time on the podium.
The words of the speakers were clear, this policy is not about protecting kids, or parental rights. This is an attack on LGBTQ youth.
The evening concluded with Board Vice President Gary Clifford setting a motion to agenda the Parental Rights Proposal. After some uncomfortable debate within the board, his motion was seconded by Board Member Paul Lopez.
A policy being motioned for agenda does not mean the legislation has been approved, but that a proper vote will be held at the subsequent board meeting.
In her closing statements to the audience, Board Member Robin Merkeley, a mother herself and long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said her concern for the parents advocating for the adoption of this new bill about the real reasons for their sentiment.
“If your child is trans, and everyone knows, and you don’t, is there a problem with that?” she asked. The implication was that if a child wants to talk to someone about how they are feeling, but aren’t comfortable having that conversation with their parent, then the situation likely requires parental introspection rather than school interjection. The heartfelt statement was met with roaring applause from the crowd.
This all comes at a troubling time for trans rights and the state of the U.S. public education system. The board will reconvene Monday, Oct. 9 to hold its final vote.