LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a controversial move that has ignited a fiery debate over the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming students, California Attorney General Robert Andres Bonta has announced a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County, California.
The lawsuit centers around the district's newly implemented 'parental notification' policy, numbered 5020.1, which mandates that teachers inform parents if their child opts to change their gender identity or pronouns.
Rob Bonta's history of activism
Robert Andres Bonta, a prominent lawyer and politician, assumed the role of California's Attorney General in 2021. A staunch member of the Democratic Party, Bonta's political career has been characterized by his activism for civil rights and equality.
Before his current position, he served as a member of the California State Assembly for the 18th district and as a member of the Alameda City Council. Notably, Bonta is the first Filipino-American to hold his current office.
Bonta is the son of Cynthia and Warren Bonta, both civil rights activists. Born in the Philippines and raised in the Central Valley, he inherited a legacy of activism from his parents who worked alongside icons like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in organizing farmworkers.
After relocating to the Sacramento area, Bonta pursued his education at Yale University, where he obtained both a bachelor's degree in history and his law degree. Notably, his life journey converged with Mia Bonta, his wife and current president of the Alameda Unified School District board, during their time at Yale.
Their family, which includes three children and a canine companion named Lego, calls the East Bay their home, according to The New York Times.
The lawsuit in question, announced by Attorney General Bonta, alleges that the Chino Valley Unified School District's parental notification policy is discriminatory and infringes upon civil rights and privacy laws.
The policy requires school personnel to disclose changes in gender identity or pronouns to parents without the students' consent, a move that opponents argue compromises the safety and well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
Bonta, speaking about the lawsuit, insisted that the policy places vulnerable students at risk of "imminent, irreparable harm."
LGBTQ backlash
The policy's implementation followed a public meeting held by the Chino Valley school board, during which more than 80 activists, including students, teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and advocates, vehemently expressed their opposition.
One current transgender student from the CVUSD, present at the meeting claimed, "This policy threatens my safety and tells me I don't belong."
Another transgender student's letter alleged: "If a student is outed to their family without their consent, this could possibly result in abuse, hate crimes, getting kicked out of their homes, [and] in extreme cases, being murdered."
Chino Valley Unified's policy shift originated from changes in the school board's leadership. The district, which boasts a student population exceeding 26,000, is not the only one to adopt such a policy.
Bonta anticipates that similar policies in other Southern California districts might also face legal challenges, though those specific districts have not yet been named in the lawsuit.
Parental notification policy 5020.1
Attorney General Bonta's legal action seeks to immediately halt the implementation of the parental notification policy. He told ABC 7 News that the policy "tramples on students' rights" and contradicts the values of inclusivity and acceptance that California upholds.
The policy mandates that Chino Valley schools notify parents in writing within three days if a student expresses a desire to be identified or treated as a gender different from the one listed on official records.
Furthermore, parents are to be informed if students partake in sex-segregated activities, such as sports teams, or use facilities that do not align with their listed gender. The policy also outlines steps for notifying parents about student injuries, threats, and suicide attempts.
Andi Johnston, spokesperson for Chino Valley Unified, noted that the district is collaborating with its legal representatives to address the lawsuit. The district had previously provided requested documents in response to a subpoena from state officials.
As the legal battle unfolds, newly elected Chino Valley Board President Sonja Shaw remained resolute in her stance. Shaw stated that the lawsuit comes as no surprise and noted that the state government has repeatedly taken steps "to shut parents out of their children's lives."
"We will stand our ground and protect our children with all we can because we are not breaking the law," Shaw said, as quoted by PBS. "Parents have a constitutional right in the upbringing of their children. Period."
