The state of California has filed a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District, alleging that its policy of notifying parents if their children change their gender identity is discriminatory and violates civil rights and privacy laws. The controversial "parental notification" policy, which has been proposed by conservative-leaning districts in California, could potentially put transgender and gender nonconforming students at risk of emotional, physical, and psychological harm by outing them to their parents before they're ready, according to the lawsuit.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, stated that the policy discriminates against students based on gender and violates equal rights and the right to privacy guaranteed by the California Constitution. The lawsuit asks the San Bernardino County Superior Court to immediately ban the practice in Chino Valley Unified and warns other districts, such as Murrieta Valley Unified and Orange Unified, that have proposed similar policies.

The lawsuit comes amid heated debates over culture war issues, including critical race theory and LGBTQ+ inclusive education, at school board meetings across California. Last week, more than 100 demonstrators opposed to LGBTQ+ education marched in Los Angeles. California's lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified is a clear indication that the state will continue to fight for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ students.