A federal appeals court has dealt another setback to California’s efforts to protect transgender students’ privacy, ruling that the state’s law prohibiting mandatory “forced outing” policies in schools will remain blocked while a broader legal challenge moves forward. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit marks the latest chapter in an ongoing battle over transgender rights, student privacy, and parental authority in public education.
At the center of the dispute is California’s SAFETY Act, also known as Assembly Bill 1955, which was signed into law in 2024. The legislation was designed to prevent school districts from adopting policies that require educators to notify parents whenever a student uses a different name, pronouns, or gender expression at school. Supporters argued the law protects transgender and nonbinary students who may face rejection, abuse, or homelessness if they are outed before they are ready.
Opponents, however, have framed the issue as one of parental rights. Parents and teachers involved in the lawsuit argue that schools should not withhold information about a child’s gender identity from families. They contend that parents have a constitutional right to be involved in significant decisions affecting their children’s well-being.
The Ninth Circuit’s latest ruling does not decide the ultimate legality of the law. Instead, it leaves in place an injunction preventing California from enforcing the statute while the courts continue to consider the case. The appellate court indicated that challengers are likely to succeed on at least some of their constitutional claims, a conclusion that mirrors concerns previously raised by the U.S. Supreme Court when it temporarily blocked the law earlier this year.
LGBTQ+ advocates expressed concern that the decision could have consequences beyond transgender students. Legal experts interviewed by the Los Angeles Times noted that the ruling may signal a broader expansion of parental rights arguments that could eventually affect other areas of public education, including health, curriculum, and student privacy policies.
For transgender youth and their supporters, the case represents more than a legal debate. Advocacy organizations have long warned that forced disclosure policies can place vulnerable students at risk, particularly those living in unsupportive households. California officials have repeatedly argued that protecting student privacy is essential to maintaining safe and welcoming school environments.
The lawsuit will continue through the federal court system, and the issue could ultimately return to the Supreme Court for a final decision. Until then, California’s landmark protections against forced outing remain on hold, leaving transgender students, educators, and families in legal limbo as one of the nation’s most closely watched LGBTQ+ education cases continues to unfold.
