California school district must notify parents, provide opt out for LGBT lessons: judge
May 16, 2025
A federal judge has ruled that a California school district likely violated the First Amendment when it forced children to take part in an activity involving a book on gender identity, without parental knowledge.
The Christian Post reports that Judge James Lorenz of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California ruled in favor of parents who sued the Encinitas Union School District after their children were asked to read an LGBT-themed book.
The preliminary injunction issued by Lorenz forbids the school district from addressing topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity as part of a buddy program which pairs older students with younger students.
According to the Christian Post, the school district generally kept parents informed about the buddy program but failed to notify parents when fifth grade students and their kindergarten buddies watched a read-along video about a gender dysphoric boy.
Along with reading the book “My Shadow Is Pink” the students took part in an activity where the older student would ask the younger pupil what color their shadow was and color their shadows with sidewalk chalk.
The lawsuit filed by parents against the school district argued that the activity forced students to tell their peers that it’s possible to have a gender identity that does not conform to one’s biological sex.
California state law allows for parents to opt their children out of such activities if they conflict with religious beliefs.
The law states: “If any part of a school’s instruction in health conflicts with the religious training and beliefs of a parent or guardian of a pupil, the pupil, upon written request of the parent or guardian, shall be excused from the part of the instruction that conflicts with the religious training and beliefs.”
Judge Lorenz wrote, “Compelling individuals to mouth support for views they find objectionable violates the First Amendment.”
The judge ordered that “buddy program class activities and materials shall not cover gender identity topics covered in health instruction, unless Defendants provide parents with advance notice and an opportunity to opt out.”
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