The Orange Unified School Board approved a gender identity disclosure policy on Thursday.
The approval came following a 4-0 vote; however, three board members who were opposed to the policy walked out before the vote took place, according to the L.A. Times.
The policy would require the principal or a staff member to notify the parents if their child asks to use a different name, pronoun, and facility that is different from the one that is on their birth certificate, the Orange County Register reported. That policy applies to children who are under the age of 12. For students older than 12, a school counselor or psychologist will decide whether to tell the parents.
Several community members spoke at Thursday night’s meeting, including one man who said
One speaker shared their experience of being outed as a child.
“As a kid, I hid my identity from my family,” she said. “I knew that they would reject and disown me, but I was outed to my family when I was 15 and as a result, I was rejected, I was told I was like a pedophile, I was asked to leave one of my parents' homes
But, some speakers said it’s imperative that parents know what’s going on, especially when it comes to their child.
“Parents of this district want to be informed of all matters happening in the school,” one man said. “Any secrets, especially sexuality, should be reported to a child’s parents. “
“I am a parent and I'm a member of the community and I'm here to support all actions that give parents back their control,” another man said. “This is ridiculous what's going on.”
This is the sixth school in the state to adopt this policy. Others include Murrieta Valley Unified School District and Temecula Valley Unified School District.
On Wednesday, a judge issued an injunction that temporarily pauses the Chino Valley Unified School District’s gender identity disclosure policy.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok