California Schools Now Legally Required To Withhold Gender Info From Parents

On July 15, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 1955, also known as the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today's Youth (SAFETY) Act.

This legislation says it aims to protect the privacy of students regarding their gender identity and sexual orientation.

AB 1955 prohibits school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and the state special schools from enacting or enforcing any policy, rule, or administrative regulation that requires an employee or a contractor to disclose any information related to a pupil's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to any other person without the pupil's consent. This includes the pupil's parents - thus allowing for parents to be kept in the dark if the pupil reveals any gender related information to school authorities.

The bill also prohibits retaliation or adverse action against an employee who supports a pupil in the exercise of specified rights, work activities, or providing certain instruction.

The signing of AB 1955 has faced opposition from some groups.

Harmeet Dhillon, chief executive and founder of the Center for American Liberty, criticized the bill, stating that it strips authority from locally elected school officials and takes away the ability of parents to stay informed about their kid's education and well-being.

Opponents of AB 1955 argue that the bill undermines parental rights and the family structure. They claim that the bill allows for teachers to conceal information from the parents, thus destroying trust in the family and undermining the family structure.

They also argue that the bill restricts the freedom of parents to help their children make decisions about gender identity and establishes the state as the authority on this issue.

Elon Musk, the controversial entrepreneur, has also been a vocal opponent of AB 1955, expressing his concerns about the legislation and its potential impact on parental rights and the well-being of children. He has described the bill as "the final straw" in his decision to move the headquarters of SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) out of California. Musk believes that the law undermines the rights of parents to be involved in their children's lives and decisions regarding gender identity.

In addition to his public statements, Musk has also taken action to oppose AB 1955. He has announced that he will move the headquarters of SpaceX and X to Texas, citing the legislation as a major factor in his decision. This move is seen as a direct response to the signing of AB 1955 and a way for Musk to express his opposition to the law.

Musk's stance on AB 1955 has been supported by some, who see it as an important defense of parental rights and the well-being of children.