A federal district judge in San Diego ruled in favor of two teachers who claimed that school district policy forced them to “lie” to parents about their student’s preferred gender identity and thus infringed upon their 1st amendment rights. However, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed the judge’s order and indicated they are likely to overturn it, setting up the potential of this becoming another gender issue to be resolved by the Supreme Court. California law has protected students who prefer that their parents not be informed of the gender identity they use in school, on the assumption that harm might come from parents who oppose gender transition. Critics of this policy say it is harmful to children to maintain a dual identity and not have parents involved in the complex issues surrounding gender dysphoria and its treatment; they point to the policy in Las Vegas’ school district, which calls for mutual consultation between schools and parents about how best to manage the child’s needs. District Judge Roger Benitez’ now stayed injunction directed that parents do have a right to be informed in such cases.
Can Teachers Discuss Gender Identity with Parents?
