California School District Faces Lawsuit Over Policy Requiring Parental Notification For Student Gender Identity Or Pronoun Changes

California‘s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District over a controversial policy that requires teachers to notify parents if their child changes their identity or pronouns, reports the Daily Mail.  Bonta claims that this “parental notification” policy is discriminatory and violates civil rights and privacy laws. The lawsuit argues that the policy puts transgender and gender-nonconforming students in “danger of ‘imminent, irreparable harm,’ by risking they’ll be outed in their household ‘before they’re ready.” The policy was discussed during a public meeting in July, where more than 80 community members, including students, teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and advocates, voiced their concerns and opposition. They argued that the policy would endanger transgender and gender nonconforming students, with some stating that it would threaten their safety and sense of belonging. Letters written by LGBTQ+ students highlighted the potential consequences of forced disclosure, including abuse, hate crimes, and even murder. The lawsuit seeks to discontinue the enforcement of the policy. Bonta also believes other Southern California districts with similar policies will be affected by the litigation. Bonta emphasized that the policy infringes on students’ rights. “It tramples on students’ rights,” he told ABC 7 News.  Under the policy, Chino Valley schools must inform parents in writing within three days if a student requests to be identified or treated as a gender different from what is recorded on official documents. Parents will also be notified if students participate in sex-segregated activities or use bathroom facilities that don’t align with their listed gender. The lawsuit is now in the hands of the San Bernardino County Superior Court, which will determine whether the practice should be immediately banned. #Clique, what are your thoughts? 

California Police Department Ask For Public’s Help With Identifying Man Who Left Human Remains On Police Station Counter

On Thursday, February 2nd, a man entered a police department in San Bernardino, California, emptied a bag of animal remains and what appeared to be a human jaw on the front counter, and left. “It was unclear at the time if the remains were real,” officials said in a statement. The coroner’s office later confirmed that the jaw bone was indeed human, but was not able to determine who it belonged to or where it came from, Law And Crime reported. After being unsuccessful in finding the unidentified man, the San Bernardino Police Department issued an “Attempt to Identify,” and posted a photo of the man on their Twitter page, along with a description. The man is described as a Hispanic male and is estimated to be 30-35 years of age, around 5 feet and seven inches tall, and near 160 pounds.