California Bans Forced Outing of LGBTQ Students

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the SAFETY Act into law, making California the first state to prohibit school districts from disclosing students' gender identity or sexual orientation without consent. The law aims to protect LGBTQ+ students in unwelcoming households while sparking a nationwide debate on parental rights and student privacy. Introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward, the law safeguards teachers from retaliation and upholds discussions on gender identity as private. This move follows opposition to parental notification policies in California and a rise in politically motivated attacks on LGBTQ+ students nationwide.