AB 493 was approved by the Senate Education Committee on July 10 with a vote of 6–0 and one senator abstaining. Voting YES were: Maria Elena Durazo (D), Steven M. Glazer (D), Connie Leyva (D), Mike McGuire (D), Richard Pan (D), Scott Wilk (R). Abstaining was Ling Ling Chang (R).
However, members of the community are arguing that mandated training for teachers is not the solution for creating a “more inclusive environment.”
Referring to the training, Olson explained, “All of which seeks to coerce teachers and students to accept and express ideas about gender and gender identity that may violate their individual beliefs and consciences, especially those who subscribe to the gender binary which is rooted in objective biology as opposed to subjective thoughts or feelings. Biology is not bigotry.”
Psychologist Dr. Laura Haynes testified alongside Olson, detailing the possible dangers of solidifying the idea of transgender identities in young children.
“Locking in transgender identities sends students down a treatment path of hormones and surgeries, leading to loss of sexual pleasure, fertility, breasts, and reproductive organs, and higher rates of psychiatric hospitalizations, deaths from heart disease and cancers, and a 19 times more completed suicides,” said Dr. Haynes.
The Epoch Times reached out to Greg Burt, California Family Council’s Director of Capitol Engagement, for a more in-depth look at the bill and situation.
AB 493 states that mandatory training for teachers will help stop the bullying LGBTQ-identifying students receive. However, Burt explained that forcing annual training on teachers to affirm LGBTQ identities will not reduce bullying.
“The way you reduce bullying is you train kids to treat others with respect, even when you disagree with them. The way you get rid of bullying is you tell students they’re not allowed to bully and that there are consequences for bullying. It’s not making everyone believe the same things on these issues,” said Burt.
Individuals opposing the bill worry that AB 493 is essentially taking teachers, students, and families’ freedom of choice away regarding gender identity-related issues. By creating an environment where only LGBTQ identities are accepted, will instead lead to students who are more traditional or conservative to face bullying.
It is unclear whether or not this code would apply to teachers referring students to LGBTQ affirming clubs, mental health care, or outside resources. But Burt expressed that the push for AB 493 shows a need for teachers, students, and families to have the choice to opt out of activities that conflict with their beliefs.
Burt emphasized the AB 493 is not the answer to solving bullying or creating a “more welcoming” environment for LGBTQ-identifying students.
AB 493 is currently being held in the Committee on Appropriations, where the committee will judge the fiscal impacts the bill will have on the California budget. The bill is set to have another hearing at the end of August.
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