California makes history as first state to ban forced outing of LGBTQ+ kids

In a move that will protect LGBTQ+ students across the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law Assembly Bill 1955, a bill that bans the forced outing of LGBTQ+ kids in schools.

Chris Ward, a Democratic Representative in California was the one who initially introduced the bill last year. He celebrated the passing of the bill in a press release, saying: “Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and other LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise nationwide, including in California.”

The bill is known as the SAFETY Act, and it specifically bars school districts from implementing policies that require faculty to forcibly out kids to their parents. It particularly protects transgender and nonbinary children.

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“While some school districts have adopted policies to forcibly out students, the SAFETY Act ensures that discussions about gender identity remain a private matter within the family.” Ward’s statement continued. “As a parent, I urge all parents to talk to their children, listen to them, and love them unconditionally for who they are.”

With this new bill, at-risk queer students they can be confident that any faculty they go to for acceptance won’t be legally required to put their lives at risk.

California is the first state to ban forced outing.

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair Susan Eggman also said in a statement, “Today is a great day for California… I am incredibly proud of our LGBTQ Caucus, and Assemblymember Ward in particular, for their leadership on this life-saving legislation. I am also deeply grateful for all the parents, teachers, youth, LGBTQ+ leaders, and so many other groups who came together to support this bill.”