Supreme Court Blocks California Policy Protecting Transgender Students' Privacy

Ruling seen as setback for transgender rights, with advocates vowing to keep fighting

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a California policy that barred school districts from requiring teachers to 'out' transgender students to their parents without the students' permission. The ruling came in favor of a group of parents near San Diego who argued the state's policy violated their religious freedom and due process rights. Advocates for transgender youth have vowed to keep fighting, calling the decision 'shocking and alarming' and part of a larger effort to eliminate protections for transgender people.

Why it matters

This ruling undermines California's Safety Act, which was seen as a major victory for transgender rights when signed into law in 2024. It raises concerns about the future of transgender student protections in the state and sends a 'chilling message' to an already vulnerable population facing higher rates of anxiety and depression.

The details

The case was originally filed in 2023 by the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm focused on religious issues. A federal district court judge initially ruled in favor of the parents, and then the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals paused the ruling while the state prepared an appeal. The parents asked the Supreme Court to lift the pause, which it did on Tuesday. The appeal is still pending before the Ninth Circuit.

  • The case was originally filed in 2023.
  • A federal district court judge initially ruled in favor of the parents.
  • The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then paused the ruling while the state prepared an appeal.
  • The parents asked the Supreme Court to lift the pause, which it did on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The appeal is still pending before the Ninth Circuit.

The players

Thomas More Society

A public interest law firm that focuses on religious issues and filed the original lawsuit against California's transgender student privacy policy.

Shannon Minter

Legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, based in Sacramento, who called the Supreme Court's ruling 'shocking and alarming'.

Paul Jonna

Special counsel at the Thomas More Society, who called the ruling a 'watershed moment for parental rights in America'.

Sonja Shaw

President of the Chino Valley Unified school board, who described the ruling as 'a massive victory' and said 'policies deceiving parents are wrong'.

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General, who acknowledged the ruling was a setback while stating the state remains committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming school environment for all students.

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What they’re saying

“The court's ruling is shocking and alarming. It's part of a larger effort by this court and the administration to eliminate any protection for transgender people.”

— Shannon Minter, Legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights

“This is a watershed moment for parental rights in America. The Supreme Court has told California and every state in the nation in no uncertain terms: you cannot secretly transition a child behind a parent's back.”

— Paul Jonna, Special counsel at the Thomas More Society

“The Supreme Court has affirmed what we've always known to be true: policies deceiving parents are wrong, and they can not be allowed to stand.”

— Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Valley Unified school board

What’s next

The appeal of the original district court ruling in favor of the parents is still pending before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

This Supreme Court ruling is seen as a significant setback for transgender rights in California, undermining the state's efforts to protect the privacy of transgender students. However, advocates have vowed to continue fighting to ensure all students are treated with basic decency and respect, regardless of their gender identity.