In California, it is now illegal to force teachers to “out” their LGBTQIA students to their parents. The new law, AB 1955, deals with “forced outing” policies that infringe on students’ privacy, while also potentially harming students if their parents disapprove of their SOGIESC.
“Teachers can still talk to their parents,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press. “What they can’t do is fire a teacher for not being a snitch. I don’t think teachers should be gender police.”
The new bill actually deals with policies already adopted in various districts in California, including in Chino and Temecula, with the state suing to stop Chino’s policy, require other districts to scrap their policies, tweak the language or put them on hold.
AB 1955 now also requires the state’s Department of Education to update its LGBTQIA resources and encourage school districts to offer counseling, support groups, clubs, anti-bullying policies, and similar measures to support LGBTQIA students and their families. Schools will pay for these services with their existing funding.
