Dear Hart District Community Members,
 

The Forced Outing Policy is once again on the agenda for the upcoming school district board meeting on Wednesday, December 6th at 6:30 PM at the Administrative Center 
21380 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA

For this meeting, we are recommending that people write in to the board to make your voices heard and to stop this dangerous policy from being implemented.

Tomorrow night's meeting will be Livestreamed on YouTube.
 

Please email board members with detailed appeals to reject this policy. Explain that it is both illegal and puts our community's students' safety and very lives at risk.
 

Feel free to use the email template below
and adjust or add to the letter as you see fit.
 

Dear Hart District Board Members,

I am writing to express my profound apprehension regarding the proposed forced outing policy scheduled for discussion at the upcoming school board meeting on December 6th, 2023.

I vehemently urge you to reject this detrimental and discriminatory policy. Forced outing constitutes a blatant violation of students' privacy and trust, exposing them to the perilous risks of physical and emotional harm. LGBTQ+ students who are compelled to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity prematurely face an increased likelihood of encountering bullying, harassment, and violence. Additionally, they are more susceptible to homelessness and suicide.

LGBTQ+ students subjected to forced outing are more likely to experience mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They are also more likely to drop out of school and encounter other adverse outcomes.

Numerous statistics highlight the detrimental consequences of school-enforced outing policies:

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• A 2020 report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found the most prevalent reason for homelessness among LGBTQ youth was being forced out of home or running away from home because of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

• A study by the Trevor Project found that fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming.

• A study by the Human Rights Campaign found that over half (57.4%) of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced at least one form of parental rejection.

• LGBTQ+ youth experience 120% higher risk of becoming homeless after coming out to their families.
   

These statistics underscore the fact that a significant number of parents react negatively when their children come out to them. This can stem from various factors, including a lack of understanding, religious beliefs, or personal prejudice. While many parents are supportive and accepting of their children's sexual orientation or gender identity, the statistics above underscore the urgent need for education and support for parents of LGBTQ+ youth.

Moreover, the proposed forced outing policy contravenes California law. Schools are prohibited from discriminating against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity under California law. Forced outing constitutes a form of discrimination that can have severe consequences for LGBTQ+ students.

I implore you to reject the proposed forced outing policy and safeguard the safety and well-being of all students.

Sincerely,
 

[Your Name]

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Rjensen@hartdistrict.org
Cmoore@hartdistrict.org
Lstorli@hartdistrict.org
Erwilson@hartdistrict.org
Mkuhlman@hartdistrict.org
Irounsaville@hartdistrict.org
Mtcrawford@hartdistrict.org
Jmessina@hartdistrict.org
 

Thank you for taking the time to speak out against this dangerous policy.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!