Indiana schools will now have to notify parents of pronoun change requests made by students

Indiana
Kristopher Carlock listens to speakers with a transgender pride flag draped around his shoulders Saturday, April 1, 2023, during a Rally to Protect Trans Youth organized by the ACLU of Indiana at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Photo credit Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has signed legislation that requires school administrators to notify a parent if their child requests a name or pronoun change.

Starting in July, Indiana school administrators will be required to provide written notification to a child’s parent or guardian within five business days of the child asking to be called a different “pronoun, title, or word.”

The governor said he believes in parental rights.

"Allowing students to decide on different identities without their parents knowledge and consent creates an unacceptable intrusion into the parent child relationship," said Republican State Representative Michelle Davis during debate.

Critics called the move an attack on LGBTQ students.

The legislation also prohibits teaching “human sexuality” to pre-kindergarten through third grade students.

This legislation is a national trend as Republican lawmakers across the country have passed or are considering legislation targeting LGBTQ students.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK