America First Legal (AFL) has filed a lawsuit with co-counsel Schaerr Jaffe LLP on behalf of a group of California parents and the City of Huntington Beach against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Robert Bonta, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The suit challenges Assembly Bill 1955 (AB 1955), which prohibits schools from notifying parents about their child's desire to change their gender identity.
Governor Newsom signed AB 1955 into law on July 15. The legislation prevents school districts from requiring parental notification if a child begins to exhibit gender confusion, such as requesting to be called by a name and pronoun of the opposite sex. This prohibition applies regardless of the child's age, including preschoolers. Additionally, the law prevents schools from disciplining employees who facilitate social transitioning.
The plaintiffs argue that AB 1955 violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees parents' rights to make decisions regarding their minor children's medical treatment. They contend that socially transitioning is a form of medical intervention that can have serious short-term and long-term effects. According to AFL, fit parents are presumed to act in their child's best interest, and government intervention in this relationship is unwarranted.
AFL claims that the law intrudes on private matters between parents and children and makes it illegal for schools to notify parents about social transitioning. They assert that socially transitioning increases the likelihood of children being placed on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, potentially leading to irreversible consequences.
AFL has previously engaged in legal actions related to parental rights and gender transition issues. In September 2022, they sued the Eau Claire Area School District for aiding children in transitioning without informing parents. In August 2023, they filed a lawsuit against Washington's Governor over similar concerns. In November 2023, AFL sued Mesa Public Schools for promoting gender transitions without parental notification.
Stephen Miller, President of America First Legal, stated: "America First Legal is proud to be leading the courtroom battle for parental rights and the defense of children nationwide."
Gene Hamilton, Executive Director of America First Legal, added: "The State of California is now using state law to force schools to hide a child’s desire to ‘gender transition’ from parents. This is outrageous. Parents—not the government or any school system—have the utmost right to raise their children and protect their children from this dangerous ideology."