Mark Takano Decries GOP Legislation Aimed At Forcing Parental Consent For Student Pronoun Changes

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During a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing before the congressional recess, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) discussed the importance of a child's agency in their gender identity.

Transcript

00:00I know how important parental involvement is in a child's education, but the only person who knows

00:07the right time to come out to a parent is the child, him or herself. And while I came out to

00:14my parents, when I came out to my parents, it was at a time, place, and manner of my own choosing.

00:20I would not have wanted anyone else to make that decision for me. I made my choice based on the

00:28relationship I had with my mother and father. What this bill does is put educators in the middle

00:34of family relationship, of that family relationship. By establishing a blanket requirement that parental

00:41consent be obtained before changing a student's name, gender markers, or pronouns, teachers could

00:47be put in the position of outing students to their families before that child is ready. And while most

00:55families are loving and want to support their children, not every child lives in a safe and

01:02supportive home. Years ago, when I was teaching high school, a member of the school personnel

01:09where I worked felt obligated to inform to a student's parents that they saw that student

01:17physically, a male student physically affectionate with another boy. That staff member did not

01:24anticipate how violently the child's family would react. He was viciously beaten by his father,

01:30the student that is. And he had to later withdraw from the school and move to another part of the

01:35country. Now, that student's story is not unique. 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQI plus, largely due to

01:45familial rejection. Transgender youth in particular face higher rates of childhood abuse than their peers,

01:53and significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. For a student who feels

02:01safe to be themselves at school, but not at home, violating the sanctity of their safety goes against

02:10the fundamental nature of who a teacher is. Teachers never aim to put students in harm's way, either

02:18intentionally or unintentionally. But this bill, this bill puts educators in an impossible position.

02:26They would be legally required in my home state to report, excuse me, they would be legally required

02:32by the federal government to report on a child's gender identity, even if they knew that it would put

02:39the child at risk. My opposition to this bill does not come from a desire to divide students from their

02:45parents or encourage a conspiracy of secrecy. I believe that teachers should be, should involve

02:52parents in a child's education. And I agree that involvement is often key to a student's success.

02:59But for many of us who have taught LGBTQIA plus children, or have been LGBTQIA plus children,

03:06plus ourselves, let me say it again, or have been LGBTQIA plus children ourselves, know the sad reality

03:15that not all children come from homes that accept their differences. Many of those kids come to school

03:21to seek a safe place, and educators should not be put in a position that would compromise a child's trust in them

03:29or disrespect the relationship between the child and the parents. I will always vigorously defend

03:36the rights of parents to raise their children and to be actively involved in their education.

03:41But I also will defend the rights of children to learn and grow in a healthy, safe environment.

03:49For that reason, I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back.

03:53I thank the gentleman. I now recognize the gentleman.

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