California parents are finally starting to fight back. Republican lawmakers in the Golden State have introduced a series of bills aimed at restricting the influence of gender ideology in public schools, reinforcing parental rights, and regulating gender-based policies in youth sports and custody decisions.
State Assemblymember Bill Essayli has proposed legislation that would amend California’s education code to mandate that participation in school sports, as well as access to restrooms and locker rooms, be determined strictly by biological sex rather than gender identity, writes The Daily Caller.
“I hope we restore common sense in our schools,” Essayli told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “I hope we have places again where girls feel comfortable to change without having to worry if there’s a boy in the locker room or that they have to share space with a boy. I hope girls feel confident in competing in sports again and not having to worry about whether they’re going to be booted off the team as a boy shows up and runs a faster time, and I want girls to be excited and proud of their accomplishments and be able not just to compete, but to be champions in sports. That’s the vision that we should all share and want for our girls here in California and around the nation.”
President Donald Trump has worked to drive gender ideology concepts out of American life, declaring the federal recognition of only two genders, banning federal funds from going towards the “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children and prohibiting men from competing in women’s sports.
Essayli told the DCNF the landscape even in California has changed since Trump returned to office.
“It almost feels as though the energy has been sucked out of their movements as a result of this last election,” Essayli told the DCNF. “I think more people feel comfortable speaking on these issues now. People were afraid before. They didn’t want to be attacked or vilified for speaking on the issue.”
Essayli isn’t alone, either. Another measure, introduced by Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, would grant parents the right to opt their children out of school curriculum that includes gender ideology. Castillo has also put forth a separate bill prohibiting courts from considering a child’s social or medical gender transition in custody disputes. Under this proposal, parents could not be deemed abusive or neglectful for refusing to allow their child to transition.
“I ran on a promise to protect parental rights and safeguard our children,” said Castillo, a psychotherapist and former employee of the Riverside County Department of Mental Health, noted The Sacramento Bee.
“As a mental health provider, I have witnessed the alarming trend of vulnerable kids, those struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD and other challenges, as they adopt transgender identities,” she continued.
California law currently prevents schools from implementing policies requiring teachers and administrators to notify parents if a child expresses interest in transitioning genders. The proposed bills are expected to face significant legal and political resistance in the Democratic-controlled state.
The state rates near the bottom in public school rankings, according to a recent survey.
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For CA Gov: Larry Elder, Steve Hilton, Ric Grenell for OUR future