The AB1955 bill in California was approved by the legislature earlier this month, and it is now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. Civil organizations and parents of students have been calling the governor, urging him to veto the bill. On Friday, Republican candidate for the 49th District State Assembly, prominent Chinese American lawyer Liu Longzhu, held a press conference before attending the Republican National Convention, calling on more parents to speak out against the bill.
AB1955 includes various provisions, one of which prohibits teachers from informing parents when students display signs of gender identity issues, citing protection of LGBTQ students. Opponents argue that as the primary guardians of their children, parents have the right to be informed about any significant growth issues affecting their children’s health and well-being.
What kind of problems would the passage of AB1955 bill bring? Liu Longzhu stated, “First, if your child attends a public school in California, and the teacher notices that your child has homosexual tendencies or wants to undergo a gender transition, the teacher is legally obligated not to inform the parents. Second, teachers are legally obliged to lie to parents on this issue.”
Liu Longzhu believes that this is a reckless and dangerous practice because the bill effectively positions parents as enemies of their children. “They can tell the teacher, tell classmates, tell the school cafeteria worker, but they are forbidden to tell the parents,” he said.
He analyzed the mindset of the legislators: first, they believe they know a lot about children, and second, they care deeply about children. Both of these assumptions are wrong. “What gives you the right to say that you care more about their children than the parents themselves?” he said. “You think you know what is best for children, but you don’t even know these children, let alone care for them.”
“Who cares most and loves their children the most?” Liu Longzhu passionately asked, “Who goes through wind and rain every day, maybe even working overtime or driving Uber just to make their children’s life a bit better? The ones who care most about their children are the parents, not you!”
Liu Longzhu questioned the lawmakers supporting the bill, “Who gives you the qualification to say that parents will definitely oppose, discriminate against children, or punish them severely? No! That’s wrong.”
According to logic, if a child wants to undergo a gender transition or change their gender, they can do so at twelve or thirteen years old; however, there is a law in California that prohibits drinking alcohol until the age of 21. He asked, “Why is drinking alcohol so strictly regulated? Because of concern that children under 21, not being mature enough, could do crazy things after drinking. But for something as significant as a gender transition impacting one’s life and health, why should children in their teens be allowed to decide without informing their parents?”
Southern California lawyer Deng Hong, who supported Liu Longzhu at the event, stated that AB1955 does not protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals but rather turns being LGBTQ into a privilege. Rights and privileges are different; “what we demand is equal protection, not that being LGBTQ grants you special privileges; parents’ fundamental right to educate their children is being taken away.”
Deng Hong believes that whether in California Penal Law or federal law, parents are granted the responsibility to raise their children. Children go through immature stages and have different thoughts as they grow, and at these times, parents have the right and responsibility to guide them, but AB1955 deprives parents of the opportunity and right to educate and support their children.
“Once a child undergoes a gender transition, will they have a chance at 30 or 40 years old to change back?” Deng Hong said. The body is not a plaything. Children raised on video games may act impulsively; once the game is over, they can start again, but the body doesn’t work that way. “This law requires teachers to lie to parents about students’ sexual orientation. Is this the values we want our children to learn at school?”
Considering that the Asian American community representatives all voted in favor, Deng Hong believes that when selecting representatives, the Chinese community should choose candidates who truly understand community interests, consider parental rights.
As a lawmaker, how can one be truly accountable to the voters? Liu Longzhu stated that if elected, he would notify all media outlets of important proposals and inform how he would vote on each issue. “This way, everyone will know; this is the true meaning of democratic politics,” he said.
Based on the text of AB1955, the proposers cited various reports, including the 2018 “Protective Factors Among Transgender and Gender Variant Youth: A Systematic Review by Socioecological Level,” stating that the bill aims to provide these youth with better educational outcomes and protect school staff from retaliation or unfavorable employment situations for safeguarding student privacy.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Democratic supporters of the bill argue that legislation is necessary to protect transgender elementary and middle school students since they may feel unsafe at home and unable to confide in their parents about their changes. Democrats also highlighted the high bullying and suicide rates among transgender youth.
Assemblyman Chris Ward stated during the House session that no part of the bill concerns parent-child relationships. Emotionally, Ward expressed that teachers do not want to be gender police; they just want to teach and provide a safe, supportive environment for children to grow and thrive.
The debate between proponents and opponents was intense before the vote in the House, with AB1955 ultimately passing in the Senate with an overwhelming 29:8 majority. Before the 15th (Monday), Governor Newsom needs to make a decision on the bill pending on his desk, and he has already indicated that he will not veto it. Previously, Newsom and Democrats have been in a conflict with the school district board over the parental notification policy.
Liu Longzhu and Deng Hong urged Chinese parents to call Governor Newsom to voice the Chinese community’s concerns. They also hope more Chinese people will register to vote and actively participate in the voting process. “If you are not seated at the table, you will end up on the menu,” Deng Hong said.