Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to a federal court ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson, which blocked enforcement of multiple California laws that protect transgender and gender-nonconforming students from forced outing at school and allow educators to respect a student’s name and pronouns. The state has asked to pause the ruling pending appeal.

“Parents should be involved in their children’s lives, and in the vast majority of cases, parents and families are directly involved in conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity. That is why we passed the SAFETY Act last year — specifically so these important family conversations can happen when families are ready and in ways that strengthen the relationship between parent and child, not as a result of extremist politicians intruding into the parent-child relationship. California’s student protections recognize the importance of family involvement, while also acknowledging that forcing a student to come out before they are ready can cause harm.

Judge Benitez’s dangerous ruling goes far beyond the SAFETY Act and broadly targets numerous California laws and protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students — attempting to invalidate critical safeguards that prevent forced outing and allow educators to respect a student’s affirmed name and pronouns at school. These protections exist for one reason: to keep students safe and ensure schools remain places where young people can learn and thrive without fear.

This ruling comes at a time when transgender and gender-nonconforming youth across the country are facing a coordinated effort to undermine their safety and well-being. We are grateful to Attorney General Bonta for moving quickly to prevent the harmful consequences of this decision from taking hold. Equality California will continue working with parents, educators, and advocates to keep schools safe, welcoming, and focused on the success and well-being of every student.”

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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org