Students across the William S. Hart Union High School District walked out of classes in protest last week. Waving flags and asking for the schools to stay as safe places for LGBTQ+ students over a discussed district rule called “Parental Notification” or what some are calling it a “Forced Outing Policy.”
It would require school staff to report LGBTQ+ students to their parents without consent within a 72-hour period.
A discussed action has caused an uproar in many Hart families and has had some former school staff from other districts angry.
“I think it is a big mistake,” said Judy Reinsma, a former UCLA staff member. “If a child feels safe by sharing this social identity with their parents, then they will.
“It is not up to the teachers to step in the middle,” said Reinsma.
This rule is similar to the ones made in Temecula and Orange County schools. Many LGBTQ+ clubs on Hart Campuses and Instagram pages like @riseup.scv, @ourschools_santaclarita and many more opposed to the policy have also shared their thoughts about it.
One of the pages that helped form the walkouts, @hartstudentwalkout, is one of the biggest pages in this situation.
“I feel that the policy being in place would cause a lot of problems in the school district. It would cause a lot of students to reach their breaking point mentally,” said Instagram account runner Heather Decosier.
“It would be horrible for our school district,” said Decosier.
Trying to contact the district about the situation and the policy as a whole, they were not able to comment back. But they did make a statement about the protest from last week by saying how they understand how this can affect people, and we’re going to do a board meeting that night at Hart High School.
The Hart District has not fully decided on ratifying the rule but will decide on it in a future board meeting.
