Protect Kids California, a student rights group in California, has proposed three statewide ballot measures aimed at bridging the gap between parents and children when it comes to school policy. The measures focus on issues such as fairness in female sports, the notification of parents regarding transgender treatment requests by their children, and the prohibition of puberty blockers and other gender treatments for minors.
The first proposed measure would require schools to notify parents if their child requests to be treated as transgender, aiming to promote transparency and build trust between schools and parents. The second measure aims to protect girls’ sports and spaces, ensuring that only girls compete against other girls and have separate changing and showering spaces from boys. The third measure aims to prevent the sterilization of minors by prohibiting them from accessing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, genital surgeries, and mastectomies.
The ballot initiatives will need 550,000 petition signatures each in order to be included on the ballot in the fall of 2024. The group will have six months to collect the required number of signatures. Jonathan Zachreson, a co-founder of Students First California, described the effort as a defining moment for California and the country, hoping to change the conversation surrounding these issues and promote rational discussion.
Protect Kids California will focus on building their volunteer base and obtaining donations in the coming months. They plan to speak in front of various groups across the state to raise awareness and gather support for their proposed measures. Despite potential backlash, Zachreson is determined to see their efforts through, stating that attacks won’t deter them as they are prepared for any opposition they may face.