California state official removed from tense school board meeting over gender policy.
California’s superintendent of public instruction made quite the entrance at a heated school board meeting on Thursday. Tony Thurmond was escorted out after passionately arguing against a new policy that requires schools to inform parents about student gender transitions.
The Chino Valley Unified School District, located just east of Los Angeles, approved the controversial gender policy after hours of intense debate.
Under the new policy, teachers are now required to notify parents if their children start using names and pronouns that differ from those on their birth certificate. Additionally, if a student requests to use the school bathroom of the opposite gender, parents must be informed.
Thurmond, the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, showed up at the packed meeting and addressed the school board directly.
State Superintendent @TonyThurmond removed from last night’s Chino Valley Unified School Board meeting after speaking out against “radical new policy” that requires teachers to notify parents if their children are identifying as transgender. The policy ultimately passed. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/Pv3S1swt1X
— Marc Cota-Robles (@abc7marccr) July 21, 2023
“I ask you to consider this, that nearly half of students who identify as being LGBTQ+ are considering suicide,” Thurmond passionately pleaded. “I ask you to consider this, that the policy that you consider tonight not only may fall outside of the laws that respect privacy and safety for our students, but may put our students at risk because they may not be in homes where they can be safe.”
Despite his time running out and his microphone being cut, Thurmond continued to speak for several seconds, determined to make his point.
Chino Valley school board president Sonja Shaw responded to Thurmond’s criticism, pushing back against his claims.
“Tony Thurmond, I appreciate you being here tremendously, but here’s the problem. We’re here because of people like you. You’re in Sacramento proposing things that pervert children,” Shaw boldly stated, causing the crowd in the room to erupt into cheers.
Thurmond, not one to back down, returned to the podium and requested to be allowed to respond.
“No, this is not your meeting. You may have a seat, because if I did that to you in Sacramento you would not accept it. Please sit.” Shaw firmly replied. “You will not bully us here in Chino.”
As tensions rose, four security officers approached Thurmond and motioned for him to leave. However, Thurmond initially refused to comply. Eventually, one of the security officers took him by the arm, and Thurmond reluctantly left the room amidst shouts, chants, and clapping from the crowd.
The meeting was packed with members of the community, many of whom held signs and wore shirts expressing their stance on the gender transition policy.
While some held signs expressing their disapproval, one of which read, “Queer Nation,” many others showed support for the policy. A group of men even brought in two large American flags, and attendees donned shirts that read, “Leave Our Kids Alone.”
“Anyone who wants to hide things from me about my little kids, you’re no friend of mine,” said one passionate dad who addressed the board.
“I just want to apologize to Sonja,” one mother told the board president. “I just thank you so much for your bravery. You are in your position because we the parents, like we the people, have had enough of the garbage.”
“It’s obvious that we’re looking at a spiritual battle right now,” the mom added. “These demons are after our children.”
Thurmond had previously announced a partnership between California’s Education Department and the Los Angeles Office of Education. The collaboration aims to provide teachers with “cultural competency training” and resources to support LGBTQ youth.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...