A single federal judge just shattered California’s mandate forcing teachers to lie to parents about their kids’ gender confusion, restoring family rights in a landmark ruling.
Story Snapshot
- U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez declared AB 1955 unconstitutional on December 23, 2025, in a class-wide permanent injunction.
- Parents now hold a federal right to know if their child expresses gender incongruence at school.
- Teachers gain constitutional protection to inform parents without state interference.
- The ruling blocks California’s Department of Education and Attorney General from enforcing secrecy policies statewide.
- This precedent challenges state overreach, aligning with Supreme Court protections for parental involvement.
California Passes Controversial Secrecy Law
California legislators enacted Assembly Bill 1955 in July 2024. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure, compelling school employees to affirm students’ gender identities. Teachers faced requirements to conceal name or pronoun changes from parents. The policy prohibited disclosure of a child’s gender presentation at school. This created mandatory silence between educators and families.
The Thomas More Society filed Mirabelli v. Olson to challenge the law. Plaintiffs argued it violated federal constitutional rights. Schools enforced different identities with parents versus students. Educators risked discipline for truthful communication. The case exposed tensions between state mandates and family authority.
Judge Benitez Issues Sweeping Summary Judgment
On December 23, 2025, Judge Roger Benitez delivered summary judgment in San Diego federal court. He ruled AB 1955 unconstitutional on its face. Parents possess a federal right to information about their child’s gender incongruence expressions. Teachers hold a matching right to share this accurately with guardians.
Benitez described the policy as affirmative state action demanding deception. California could not override these rights with local rules. The decision preempts conflicting state laws. It establishes nationwide implications for parental notification in public schools.
Huge: Judge Delivers Major Blow to CA's Anti-Parent Regime, Rules 'Lying Teacher' Law Unconstitutionalhttps://t.co/9rhfmOLWuR
— RedState (@RedState) December 23, 2025
The permanent injunction binds Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Department of Education. State agents cannot mislead parents through lies, record blocks, or pronoun mismatches. Employees refuse concealment over religious objections without penalty. Administrators communicate gender issues freely to families.
Injunction Prohibits Specific Deceptive Practices
Courts enjoined requirements for employees to use non-legal names or pronouns while hiding transitions. Schools halt interference with parental notifications. Districts revise policies immediately for compliance. Teachers avoid compelled speech violating conscience.
This aligns with Mahmoud v. Taylor, the June 2025 Supreme Court case. That ruling mandates parental notice and opt-outs for conflicting instruction. California’s FAIR Education Act persists but yields to superior federal protections. Common sense affirms parents guide children, not distant bureaucrats.
Impacts Reshape California Schools and Beyond
Parents access records revealing gender presentations. Families intervene early in confusion episodes. Teachers exercise speech rights without fear. Districts train staff on new mandates, avoiding lawsuits.
Long-term, the precedent influences other states’ policies. National debates intensify on school confidentiality versus family rights. California officials face pressure to appeal, though facts favor the ruling’s logic. Conservative values prioritize parental sovereignty over state secrecy.
Stakeholders react variably. Thomas More Society hails protection for all California children. Judge Benitez rejected state claims of student safety via lies. No responses yet from Newsom or Bonta, but enforcement halts statewide.
Sources:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/mt/
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11360
