WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that California cannot keep students’ transgender identities secret from their parents, saying such policies likely violate parents’ constitutional rights.
In a 6–3 decision on March 2, the court found that policies allowing schools to conceal a student’s gender identity from parents could infringe on the First Amendment rights of parents to guide the upbringing and religious development of their children.
The ruling follows a legal battle led by the Thomas More Society, which represented parents and teachers challenging the policies.
Background of the case
The dispute began after Roger Benitez of the U.S. District Court ruled in December 2025 that parents have a right to access gender-related information about their children and that teachers also have the right to share that information with parents.
His ruling struck down school policies in California that allowed educators to keep a student’s gender transition confidential.
However, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily blocked that order in January while the case continued.
Supreme Court decision
The Supreme Court reversed the appeals court decision, stating that California’s policies “substantially interfere” with parents’ rights to guide their children’s upbringing and participate in decisions affecting their mental health.
The court said conditions such as gender dysphoria can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health and that parents should not be excluded from such matters.
Reaction
Attorney Paul Jonna of the Thomas More Society described the ruling as a “watershed moment for parental rights.”
He said the decision sets a precedent that could challenge similar school policies across the United States.