Equality California on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Undermining Protections for Transgender Students

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to today's U.S. Supreme Court shadow docket ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta regarding California's student privacy protections for transgender youth:

"Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in this case is deeply disturbing. By stepping in on an emergency basis, the Court has effectively upended California's student privacy protections without hearing full arguments and before the judicial process has run its course. While not surprising, this move reflects a dangerous willingness to short-circuit the established judicial process to dismantle protections for transgender youth.

While this case continues to be litigated, the ruling revives Judge Benitez's prior decision, which broadly targets numerous California laws protecting transgender and gender-nonconforming students - threatening critical safeguards that prevent forced outing and allow educators to respect a student's affirmed name and pronouns at school. These protections exist for one reason: to keep students safe and ensure schools remain places where young people can learn and thrive without fear.

To be clear - today's decision does not impact California's SAFETY Act, which prohibits school districts from adopting policies that forcibly out transgender students. The SAFETY Act remains in full effect, and we will continue defending it.

Transgender youth deserve dignity, safety, and the freedom to learn without fear. We will never stop fighting for transgender youth and their families. Equality California will continue working with parents, educators, and advocates to ensure schools remain safe, welcoming, and focused on the success and well-being of every student."

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