The top officials of the state are under scrutiny for a gender policy that a teacher claims compelled her to deceive parents and instruct her students to lead a “double” life.
Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West, teachers at Rincon Middle School, filed a lawsuit against the Escondido Union School District (EUSD) last year. They alleged that the school policy mandated teachers to assist students in their “social transition” by using preferred pronouns and gender-specific names during school hours. The lawsuit was recently updated to include Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, as the district policy was influenced by guidance advocated by the state’s Department of Education.
Mirabelli spoke out on a recent platform to voice her concerns about the policy.
“It mandated us to conceal crucial information about students’ mental and emotional well-being when interacting with parents. We were required to address the child using one name and pronouns in front of parents, while using a different set of names and pronouns during school hours without parents’ knowledge. Essentially, I was inadvertently encouraging these children to lead dual lives,” she expressed.
The policy enforcement posed challenges within the classroom environment, particularly when multiple students requested unique names and pronouns, Mirabelli elaborated.
“It became quite challenging, especially with the number of girls who preferred different names and pronouns. Scientifically speaking, this is [confusing]. I had to remember distinct names and pronouns for at least seven girls on top of my regular duties in a fast-paced setting,” she added.
According to the teachers’ lawsuit, EUSD mandates that all elementary and middle school teachers must immediately acknowledge a student’s claim of a transgender or gender diverse identity and adjust their treatment accordingly, regardless of parental consent or awareness.
While Newsom’s office refuted being implicated in the lawsuit, the plaintiffs’ attorney argued that the court directive necessitated Newsom and Bonta’s inclusion as co-defendants due to the district attributing the gender policy to state authorities.
A California judge previously prohibited a school district from implementing a similar gender policy, prompting broader discussions on the issue at the state level.
The lawsuit aims to challenge comparable policies nationwide and halt the enforcement of gender secrecy regulations in schools, emphasizing the significance of this case in California and beyond.
Kristine Parks, an associate editor for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.