LGBTQ Center OC urges Orange Unified board to review 'forced outing' policy; points to new state bill

Stephanie Camacho Van Dyke, senior director of advocacy and education at LGBTQ Center OC, used the public-comment period on May 23 to press the Orange Unified School District Board to review a district policy she said could force LGBTQ students to be identified against their will.

"As most of us are aware, last fall, the board passed a forced outing policy, board policy 5,020.2, that would have severe consequences for trans and nonbinary students," Camacho Van Dyke said. She asked the board to clarify whether the policy remains in place and to explain the process for modifying or repealing it.

Camacho Van Dyke urged trustees to create a transparent review process that includes voices of students and families directly affected. She also noted AB 1955, identified in her remarks as the "Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today's Youth Act" (the SAFETY Act), had been introduced in the state legislature and could strengthen protections against forced outing if enacted.

Board members acknowledged the comment and did not take immediate action during the meeting. Camacho Van Dyke asked the board to consider withdrawing the policy and to ensure the review includes stakeholders who would be affected by any change.

The transcript does not show a board response on next steps or a vote on policy 5,020.2 during this meeting; trustees did not adopt any policy revisions on the record.