by Leslie Layton & Natalie Hanson
posted March 13
An effort to force Chico Unified School District (CUSD) staff to obtain “informed consent” from parents before “socially transitioning” a youth who identifies as transgender has stalled in federal court.
A federal judge has denied a request made in the Regino v. Staley lawsuit, filed against CUSD over a gender identity case, that the district be immediately stopped from accomodating any student who identifies with a gender different than what appears on school records without first contacting the parents.
Under the policy that has been left intact for the moment, schools can change pronouns at the student’s request and must allow the student to participate in activities based on their gender identity, which, in the case of a transgender student, may not match their assigned sex. The parents will not be informed unless the student gives consent.