By Phil Ting–
a parent, I think it’s important for children to be able to freely explore their interests. Schools can provide nurturing environments where students can learn, grow, and develop into their own person. LGBTQ+ youth especially need safe spaces because they may not feel comfortable at home expressing themselves, and schools may be the only place that provides this.
That’s why I voted in support of AB 1955, or the SAFETY Act, a new California law that ensures our schools can be a safe space for LGBTQ+ kids. The first-in-nation legislation by my colleague, Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), prohibits schools from mandating teachers to inform parents about their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. That includes any name or pronoun change, or use of restrooms that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. Governor Newsom signed it this summer, and it takes effect January 1, 2025.
This bill is necessary because a few school districts in our state, mostly in conservative areas, began passing their own local mandates, requiring the outing of students to their parents. AB 1955 overrides all of them and prevents similar policies from being enacted in the future. Students should be able to decide for themselves if and when they want to come out to their parents. Schools should neither make those decisions, nor should they be part of those conversations. Gender identity and sexual orientation are personal, private matters, and school boards should simply stay out of it.
Parental notification policies can also be harmful to a child’s mental and emotional well-being. A study from the University of Connecticut released earlier this year found that a third of youth who were forcibly outed had a greater likelihood of experiencing major depression, as well as low family support. On top of that, more than 65% of youth said being forcibly outed was “highly stressful.”
Our historic legislation strengthens existing protections against forced outing, allowing educators to continue creating a safe learning environment where all children feel accepted and nurtured. To help encourage that, the bill also bars school districts from retaliating or punishing employees who support students’ rights. This allows teachers to focus on academics, rather than policing gender identities.
In addition, AB 1955 would also require the State Department of Education to develop resources and strategies to increase support for LGBTQ+ students and their families. That could include anti-bias training of staff, formal complaint procedures, and access to counseling services. Research shows that schools rich in resources for LGBTQ+ students help them earn higher grades, skip fewer classes, and have fewer school-related problems. Furthermore, schools with LGBTQ+ supportive educators see a reduction in harassment and assault of LGBTQ+ students.
At the end of the day, AB 1955 ensures our campuses are safe and nurturing for all of our youth, no matter how they identify. I’m proud to have cast my vote for it.
Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City, as well as part of South San Francisco and San Bruno.
Assemblymember Phil Ting
Published on August 8, 2024
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