Supreme Court Blocks California Pronoun Notification Law

The Supreme Court on Monday granted an emergency appeal from religious parents in California, temporarily blocking a state law that prohibits public schools from automatically notifying parents if students request changes to their pronouns or gender expression at school.

The unsigned order, issued by a majority of the justices, reinstates a lower court ruling that had halted enforcement of the policy while litigation continues. The decision applies specifically to the parents' claims and does not extend to a related appeal from teachers seeking similar relief. At issue is a 2024 California law that bars schools from requiring staff to disclose a student's LGBTQ identification to parents without the student's consent. The law stems from state policies designed to protect students' privacy, particularly those who fear rejection, abuse, or harm from family members upon disclosure.

The parents, two sets of Catholic families represented by the Thomas More Society, argued that the policies violate their religious rights under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. They contend the rules lead schools to withhold information and facilitate students' social transitions, such as...