Equality California on Attorney General Rob Bonta's Action to File a Lawsuit Against Chino Valley Unified School District

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - August 28, 2023 - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to Attorney General Rob Bonta filing a lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified School District:

"Equality California strongly supports Attorney General Rob Bonta's decision to file a lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified School District challenging their recently approved forced outing policy for trangender students. This policy infringes on the rights and privacy of transgender students and sets a dangerous precedent that can lead to discrimination against others.

The LGBTQ+ community, and transgender people in particular, have long faced discrimination, harassment and violence. Policies like those approved by the Chino Valley school board and school boards in Murrieta Valley and Temecula are intensifying the already alarming increase of anti-LGBTQ+ hate we are experiencing. California must stand up against these policies that fly in the face of the principles of equality and respect for all people.

Discrimination on the basis of gender identity is not only morally wrong but also unconstitutional. Furthermore, the policy violates the right to information privacy and autonomy privacy, which are protected by California's constitution.

It is our duty to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender identity, feel safe, respected, and protected within our educational institutions. This lawsuit sends a clear message that discrimination and harassment have no place in our schools, and no place in California.

We are grateful for the leadership of Attorney General Bonta and his efforts to uphold the rights and dignity of all students."

Chino Valley Unified adopted and enacted a policy that forcibly outed transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students - who may use different names and pronouns at school than those they were assigned at birth - to their parents without the student's consent in July this year.

Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org