On July 17, the conservative platform “Georgia First” published two posts (1, 2) on its Facebook page “Georgia First NEWS” regarding a new law passed in the state of California, US. According to the posts, California’s new law prohibits schools from informing parents if students undergo gender transition medical procedures without parental consent.
The claim that the law prohibits schools in California from informing parents if their children undergo gender transition without their consent is disinformation. In reality, the already approved bill No. 1955 prohibits schools from disclosing information related to a student’s gender identity and sexual orientation without the student’s permission. Minors in California require parental or guardian consent to receive medical services related to gender transition.
On July 15, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, which aims to protect LGBTQ+ students from having their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression disclosed by schools.
The law forbids school personnel from disclosing a student’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or preferred pronouns to any other person without the student’s permission unless otherwise required by law.
The text of bill No. 1955 does not mention medical procedures related to gender transition at all.
According to the bill’s author, Chris Ward, many LGBTQ+ youth may face rejection and serious harm from their families if forced to disclose their identity prematurely. Opponents of the bill believe it will hinder transparency between schools and parents.
It is worth noting that in California, minors require parental or guardian consent for any medical intervention, including gender transition services.
The organization “Planned Parenthood,” which offers hormonal therapy services in California to patients over 16, states on its website that consent from both parents is necessary to receive the service.
Disinformation regarding minors undergoing gender transition without parental consent in California was also spread last year. For more details, see:
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