A federal judge in San Diego has issued a ruling that blocks California’s policy aimed at protecting student gender identity privacy in schools. On December 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez granted summary judgment in a case brought by two teachers from Rincon Middle School in Escondido. The teachers contested the Escondido Union School District policy, which mandated that educators respect students’ preferred pronouns and names while concealing this information from parents.
In his ruling, Judge Benitez argued that the state’s approach undermines parental rights. He compared the withholding of gender identity information to a scenario where teachers would not inform parents about a child’s physical injuries or health issues. He stated, “When it comes to a student’s change in gender identity, California state policymakers apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child.”
The California Attorney General’s Office, which defends the state’s policy, contends that maintaining confidentiality protects students from potential discrimination, abuse, and harassment. However, Judge Benitez acknowledged the state’s intentions, emphasizing that while efforts to protect vulnerable children are commendable, the exclusion of parents ultimately harms not only children but also their families and teachers.
Parental Rights and First Amendment Concerns
Judge Benitez further asserted that the policies infringe upon parents’ rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees the right to care for, guide, and make healthcare decisions for their children. Additionally, he noted that the policies violate the First Amendment rights of both parents and teachers to express their religious beliefs.
The lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Paul Jonna, hailed the ruling as a significant victory, stating that it “ends California’s dangerous and unconstitutional regime of gender secrecy policies in schools.” He expressed optimism that the decision would protect the rights of all California parents, students, and teachers, reinstating what he described as “sanity and common sense” in educational settings.
In response, the California Attorney General’s Office has filed an application to stay Judge Benitez’s order while they pursue an appeal. The state argues that allowing teachers and school officials to disclose students’ gender identities could lead to severe public harm and threaten the safety of students. They stated, “Once that occurs, the harm is irreparable. The information cannot be undisclosed.”
The AG’s Office maintains that they believe the district court misapplied the law and are committed to creating school environments where transgender students can express themselves authentically while also recognizing parental roles in their lives. As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for educational policies regarding gender identity and parental rights remain a topic of significant public interest and debate.
