The Viet Rainbow of Orange County challenged the board of education for their support of Assembly Bill 1314 and their lack of protection for the LGBTQ+ youth. (Gottie Chavez / Daily Titan)
Members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at Orange County’s Board of Education meeting last Wednesday to voice their concerns over the board’s recent support of a dead bill requiring parents of transgender students to be notified about their child’s identity.
The board unanimously voted in support of the Assembly Bill 1314 during a meeting held on April 12 despite the bill being killed in committee in the California Education Committee on April 10th.
“It was referred to as an anti-trans bill. I realize that is that perspective. I see this very much as a pro parents’ rights position to take,” said trustee member Tim Shaw during the meeting on April 12.
In reaction to this, LGBTQ+ activist group Viet Rainbow of Orange County, along with nearly 50 supporters, provided public comment of the meeting on Wednesday and demanded the board prioritize creating safe schools for LGBTQ+ students and allied educators.
Executive director Uyen Hoang and program manager My Nguyen of Viet Rainbow of OC co-organized the protest to convince the board of rescinding their endorsement of the bill.
“We are protecting and we need to continue to protect our LGBTQ community and unfortunately, at this time, our elected officials and the folks in power aren’t doing that,” Nguyen said.
The protesters also used their time in front of the board to voice their dismay over the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ vote against displaying the LGBTQ+ flag outside county property.
“The timing was too coincidental, the fact that this decision was made right before Pride Month is suspect, what kind of message is this sending to our queer and trans students in Orange County,” said Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, the director of advocacy and education at the LGBTQ Center Orange County.
In a statement by the Supervisor Doug Chaffee, he said he voted in favor of the County flag policy because government properties should remain neutral spaces and only display government flags.
The OC Board of Education has yet to comment or release a statement following the protest that occurred on June 7.