The city of Huntington Beach, California has filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging a new law that allows teachers to keep parents in the dark about their child’s “gender identity”. Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, a Republican, has condemned the law, calling it an “egregious piece of legislation” that puts children at risk and invades the parent-child relationship.
In a statement, Van Der Mark expressed her concerns about the law, saying it “compels educators to keep secret from parents sensitive, private, and often life-saving information related to their child’s gender issues and/or expression”. She argued that the law is unconstitutional and that the city is challenging it on federal claims in federal court.
The lawsuit has been filed with the support of the America First Legal Foundation, which has offered to cover the legal expenses and prosecute the case. Van Der Mark has also invited parents from Orange County, Los Angeles County, and other counties in California to join the lawsuit, with the option to remain anonymous.
The lawsuit highlights the fact that students in California can choose to “transition” at any age without their parents’ knowledge or consent. This has raised concerns among parents and educators about the potential risks and consequences of such a decision.
The law in question, AB 1955, was signed into effect by Governor Gavin Newsom in July. At the time, Newsom’s spokesperson, Brandon Richards, defended the law, saying it “helps keep children safe while protecting the critical role of parents”. However, critics argue that the law undermines the parent-child relationship and allows teachers to make decisions about a child’s well-being without parental input.
