Proposed California initiative strips parental right to obtain affirming care for children

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SECRETARY OF STATE CLEARS WAY FOR ANTI-TRANS PROPOSED INITIATIVES

The California Secretary of State’s Office has cleared the way for proponents of three anti-transgender ballot initiatives to begin collecting signatures.

Each of the three initiatives must have 546,651 valid California voter signatures collected by no later than April 29 order to qualify for the November 2024 general election ballot.

Proponent Jonathan Zachreson, of the group Protect Kids CA, said that a fourth measure that combines elements of the three initiatives, is currently under review by the state.

One proposal would force school employees to out transgender students to their parents, with no exception for the student’s safety or requests for confidentiality.

Surveys show that fewer than a third of transgender and nonbinary youths view their home as a safe and affirming place, and trans youths are more likely to be victims of abuse.

The initiative mirrors a bill introduced in the California Legislature earlier this year (killed without a hearing), as well as a wave of decisions from conservative-controlled school boards to enact such measures at the district level. One such policy, at Chino Valley Unified School District, is currently on pause after a state judge issued a preliminary injunction against it last month.

Another proposed initiative would eliminate transgender students’ right to participate in school events consistent with their gender identity. Transgender females in grades 7 and up would be prohibited from participating in girls’ sports. Trans youths also would be barred from being able to use the bathroom or locker room matching their gender identity.

Though the groups supporting these initiatives label themselves as pro-child or pro-parental rights, the final initiative actually would strip away the rights of parents to seek gender-affirming medical care for their transgender children, even when that treatment is medically recommended for the minor’s physical or mental wellbeing.

The American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, all support gender-affirming medical care as something that improves quality of life for transgender youths.

Studies show that the “regret rate” for gender-affirming medical care is less than 1% for transmasculine surgeries and approximately 1% for transfeminine procedures, and that the “median decisional regret score” for trans people receiving a mastectomy as part of their gender-affirming care is “0 on a 100-point scale.”

Zachreson told The Bee that he recognizes that getting more than half a million signatures in six months’ time is no easy task.

“The hard work is going to be to get on the ballot,” he said.

He said that petitions would be circulated by a combination of volunteers and paid signature-gatherers, and that “we’re actively fundraising for that particular effort.”

Kristi Hirst, a California parent and former teacher who co-founded the group Our Schools USA to push back against anti-transgender policies in the state, told The Bee in a statement that “the people screaming for parental rights are seeking to take rights away from my kids while telling me how to raise them.”

Hirst said that these proposed ballot initiatives “are further proof of a top-down ideological movement that’s been pushing these harmful policies at school boards and losing in court.”

SCHIFF, PORTER CONTINUE TO LEAD CALIFORNIA SENATE RACE

Via David Lightman...

Adam Schiff and Katie Porter continue to be frontrunners in the race for California’s U.S. Senate seat next year — but nearly one-third of voters remain undecided.

A new Berkeley-IGS poll found Rep. Porter, D-Irvine, with 17% of the state’s likely voters. Rep. Schiff, D-Burbank, has 16%.

Trailing were former baseball star Steve Garvey, the top Republican, at 10%, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, at 9%.

Others include Republican businessman James Bradley, 7%; Republican attorney Eric Early, 4%, and tech entrepreneur Lexi Reese and television reporter Christina Pascucci each at 1%.

“At this still relatively early stage of the campaign, preferences remain primarily driven by a voter’s party registration and political ideology,” a poll analysis said.

There is a generation gap. Porter has a big lead among voters under 50 while Schiff does very well with those over 65. And Lee has strong support from Black voters and voters in the Bay area.

In the Central Valley, Schiff leads with 14%. Trailing were Porter and Garvey, each at 12% and Bradley with 10%. One-third were undecided.

The three Democrats are seen positively among those who are familiar with them. About half of the likely voters had an opinion, with Porter seen favorably by 38%, Schiff by 40% and Lee by 30%.

The poll was conducted October 24 to 30.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“With the holidays right around the corner, instead of campaign contributions, consider donating an Uber or Lyft gift card to your favorite drunk Democrat. California drivers will thank you for it.”

- The California GOP in a statement following news of Assemblywoman Wendy Carrilllo’s DUI arrest.

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