California temporarily blocks Chino Valley Unified School District's transgender policy

LOS ANGELES - A superior court judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order blocking a new policy at Chino Valley Unified School District requiring schools to notify parents if their children change their gender identification or pronouns.

"San Bernardino Superior Court’s decision to issue a temporary restraining order rightfully upholds the state rights of our LGBTQ+ student community and protects kids from harm by immediately halting the board’s forced outing policy," said Attorney General Bonta. "While this fight is far from over, today’s ruling takes a significant step towards ensuring the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming students. As we continue challenging the policy in court, my office will continue providing our unwavering support to ensure every student has the right to learn and thrive in a school environment that promotes safety, privacy, and inclusivity."

The lawsuit, brought on by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, is the latest blow in an intensifying battle between a handful of school districts and the state about the rights of trans kids and their parents.

Bonta said policies like the one adopted by Chino Valley Unified School District will forcibly out transgender students and threaten their well-being. But the district’s board president and supporters say parents have a right to know the decisions their children are making in schools.

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Bonta is seeking a court order to immediately block the policy in Chino Valley, a district about 35 miles east of Los Angeles, which requires schools to notify parents within three days if employees become aware a student is asking to be treated as a gender other than the one listed on official records.

"For far too many transgender children and gender-nonconforming youth, school serves as their only safe haven — a place away from home where they can find validation, safety, privacy. We have to protect that," he said. He argued that the policy discriminates against the students and violates the state constitution’s requirement of equal protection for all.

The Chino Valley Unified School District has since released the following statement in response to the court ruling: 

"While staff respects the temporary ruling to suspend implementation of certain portions of the District’s Parent Notification policy, personnel will continue to fulfill its purpose of creating and maintaining a collaborative relationship between school and home. For more than 160 years, the Chino Valley Unified School District staff has demonstrated its commitment to supporting CVUSD students by providing them with safe schools and a positive student climate. Today’s ruling will not deter District or school site personnel from focusing on offering our young scholars a superior educational experience while fostering a nurturing environment where robust student achievement is accomplished. Working alongside our families, District leadership celebrates the efforts undertaken by staff to constructively impact the bright futures of our CVUSD scholars. The District will continue to encourage parents, guardians, and all community partners to remain united in assisting and supporting our youth."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.