Story highlights
Transgender students can choose which bathroom to use and which team to join
Parent: "Just because they're confused doesn't mean they have to confuse" others
A high school senior says she would feel uncomfortable but wouldn't oppose the law
A 16-year-old transgender boy testified last month about wanting to play football
California has become the first state in the nation to allow transgendered students to choose which school bathrooms and locker rooms to use and which sport teams to join based on their gender identity.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill No. 1266 into law Monday. The law will go in to effect January 1.
The law is the nation’s first that specifically requires equal access to public school facilities and activities based on gender identity, though some states have general policies to the same effect, said Shannon Price Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights – one of several groups backing the legislation.
Devon Marchant, a transgender nursing student at Folsom Lake Community College, applauded the new law.
“I mentor families across the nation, and I believe this will give them the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities or sports without fear of discrimination or prejudice against transgender people,” Marchant told CNN affiliate KCRA.
Some parents opposed it.
“Just because they’re confused doesn’t mean they have to confuse everybody else,” Maria Garcia told CNN affiliate KXTV.
Jordan Borja, a senior at Tokay High School in Lodi, had mixed feelings.
“I would feel uncomfortable if somebody was to walk in the bathroom and they’d be transgender,” she told KXTV. “I mean, I’m not against it, but I’d feel really uncomfortable about it.”
But some said the law reflects the times.
“Times are changing, and it’s not going to get any different,” parent Pam Judson told KXTV. “Other things are going to come up in the future that people aren’t going to be happy with. But, you know, life is changing.”
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Though California prohibits discrimination in education, transgender students “are often still unfairly excluded from physical education, athletic teams, and other school activities and facilities because of who they are,” according to a statement by the center and other groups supporting the measure.
A heated debate
The California Senate approved the proposal on Wednesday, 21-9. It had been earlier approved by the Assembly in early May.
State Senate Republicans largely opposed the measure during debate, as broadcast by CNN affiliate KCRA.
“There are youthful sex offenders,” said state Sen. Jim Nielsen. “I guarantee there would be those who would use this opportunity.”
“It’s going to be problem with implementation,” said Sen. Jean Fuller.
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Ashton Lee, a 16-year-old transgender boy from of Manteca, California, testified before the Senate Education Committee last month. Lee wants to play high school football.
“I just want to be treated the same as all the other boys, but my school forces me to take P.E. in a class of all girls and live as someone I’m not,” Lee said in a statement. “I can’t learn and succeed when every day in that class leaves me feeling isolated and alone.”
CNN’s Michael Martinez contributed to this report.