Kansas Attorney General Demands Schools Out Trans Kids, with No Law in Place
Sign up for more LGBTQ+ news and updates at TrueQueer.
Kansas’ Republican Attorney General has sparked controversy by calling on public schools in the state to out transgender and nonbinary students to their parents, despite there being no state law that requires them to do so. Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote letters to six different school districts and the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), accusing them of surrendering to what he referred to as “woke gender ideology.” PBS reports that while five US states have passed laws requiring school staff to inform parents if their child is socially transitioning or identifying as trans or nonbinary, Kansas is not one of them.
Kobach’s demand for schools to disclose the gender identities of their students to parents has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and experts. They argue that forcibly outing transgender or gender non-conforming students to their parents can have severe negative consequences, including potential harm to the students’ mental health. Justin Brace of Transgender Heartland in Kansas emphasized that such a policy would unnecessarily expose transgender and questioning students to their parents before they are ready to have those conversations. Brace stressed the importance of allowing these students to exist and grow without policies that erase their identities.
Superintendent Michelle Hubbard of the Shawnee Mission Unified School District strongly objected to Kobach’s demands, accusing him of relying on misinformation from partisan sources. She emphasized that the district’s policies aim to support all students and criticized Kobach for disregarding the hard work of educators who face intense pressure in public schools.
Kobach’s history of attempting to restrict the transgender community’s rights in Kansas is not new. In 2023, he blocked Governor Laura Kelly’s efforts to change the listings of sex on trans people’s government identification documents to reflect their gender identity rather than the gender assigned at birth. This stance aligns with Kobach’s conservative views, which have repeatedly clashed with LGBTQ+ rights.
Furthermore, Kobach’s demand for schools to out trans and nonbinary students reflects a broader trend of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies being pushed by political figures across the United States. Many states have attempted to introduce bans on gender-affirming care, prohibit trans women and girls from participating in women’s sports, or even require schools to disclose the gender identities of trans and nonbinary students to their parents. These policies have faced significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates who argue that they marginalize and discriminate against transgender individuals.
The lack of a specific state law in Kansas requiring schools to disclose the gender identities of students raises questions about the legality and ethics of Kobach’s demands. While he cited the anti-LGBTQ+ group Parents Defending Education, which has been involved in legal disputes related to LGBTQ+ issues in schools, Kobach failed to provide any evidence of a state law supporting his position. This raises concerns about the basis for his demand and whether it is rooted in personal beliefs rather than legal requirements.
The response from the school districts varied, with two immediately stating that they had no plans to conceal students’ identities from their parents. However, four districts disagreed with Kobach’s demands and asserted that school administrators are better equipped to handle these sensitive matters than parents. This disagreement highlights the ongoing debate over parental rights versus the well-being and autonomy of LGBTQ+ students.
In conclusion, Attorney General Kris Kobach’s call for schools in Kansas to out transgender and nonbinary students to their parents has ignited a fierce debate. Critics argue that such a policy would violate students’ privacy and potentially harm their mental health. The lack of a specific state law supporting Kobach’s position raises questions about the legal basis for his demand. The response from school districts varied, with some rejecting Kobach’s demands and emphasizing their commitment to supporting all students. This controversy is part of a broader trend of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies being proposed across the United States, further highlighting the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
Follow us on: Facebook for more LGBTQ+ news and updates at TrueQueer.
“Kansas Attorney General trans rights”
