San Francisco, CA – Lowell High School's gym teachers have informed 14-year-old girls that students who self-identify as female are permitted to use girls' changing rooms, a policy that parents are reportedly not being informed about, according to a recent tweet by user Liz4SF. The tweet highlights concerns from students about the policy, despite the availability of individual changing rooms.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) policy, in alignment with California Education Code, mandates that students have the right to access facilities, including restrooms and locker rooms, consistent with their gender identity. SFUSD Administrative Regulation 5145.4 explicitly states that "Transgender students shall not be forced to use the locker room corresponding to their gender assigned at birth." The policy outlines accommodations for privacy, such as private areas within public changing rooms, separate changing schedules, or nearby private areas, which are offered as a choice for any student desiring increased privacy, not as a requirement for transgender students.
Regarding parental notification, SFUSD policy maintains that a student's gender identity is private information. Disclosure to others requires the student's prior written consent, unless legally mandated or deemed necessary for the student's physical or mental well-being. This stance has been a point of contention, with some advocating for greater parental involvement in decisions related to a child's gender identity at school.
The district's approach has drawn national attention, with Superintendent Dr. Maria Su recently testifying before a congressional committee to defend SFUSD's policies on transgender students and parental rights. Federal investigations have also been launched into whether SFUSD and other California districts violate Title IX by not requiring parental notification when discussing LGBTQ+ and gender diversity with students. The district maintains its commitment to welcoming all students and adhering to state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.
