Elk Grove School Board Approves Transgender Day of Visibility Amid Opposition to Gender Care for Minors

The Elk Grove Unified School District board approved a resolution Tuesday recognizing March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, but not before a lengthy and often emotional meeting in which several speakers criticized gender-affirming policies for minors and questioned the role of schools in issues surrounding gender identity.

The resolution ultimately passed by a 5–1 vote, with Trustee Heidi Moore casting the lone dissenting vote.

While the proclamation formally recognized transgender students and called for inclusion and respect, many of the speakers during the public comment period shifted their remarks to opposition to gender-affirming medical treatments for minors. Several speakers were accompanied by supporters holding placards opposing medical intervention for transgender youth.

Among them was Beth Bourne, who urged trustees not to adopt the resolution.

“Boys cannot be girls, girls cannot be boys. The medical alterations of healthy bodies of children is malpractice and evil,” Bourne said. “We need to help them appreciate their healthy bodies and not affirm a delusion.”

Another speaker, Nicole Young, framed the issue as one of long-term consequences for students.

“This resolution sends a message to vulnerable young people that there is something fundamentally wrong with their bodies and that the only path to peace is through medical intervention,” Young said. “That message is deeply harmful.”

Some speakers described personal experiences related to gender transition. Leila Jane, who said she previously transitioned as a minor and later detransitioned, told trustees that affirming gender identity at school can lead young people toward medical treatments.

“This resolution does vulnerable children a disservice,” Jane said. “Schools should protect kids, not encourage them toward irreversible medical decisions.”

Although most public comments opposed the resolution, one speaker expressed support, arguing that increased transparency with parents should accompany recognition of transgender students.

During the board discussion, Moore sharply criticized the proclamation and the district’s broader approach to gender identity policies.

Superintendent David E. Reilly was questioned by Moore about how the measure first appeared on the board’s agenda. Reilly said Trustee Michael Vargas had originally requested the resolution in prior years.

Moore said the recognition was unnecessary because transgender students are already included in Pride Month observances and accused the district of ignoring concerns about fairness in girls’ athletics.

“I cannot support a resolution that makes false statements,” Moore said. “For years our board and district have discriminated against girls. We have taken away their opportunities in sports by allowing males to compete with and against them.”

Moore added that she believes the district should also acknowledge people who regret transitioning as minors, suggesting a “detransitioners day of visibility.”

The meeting also included emotional remarks from Student Board Member Zi Zhong, who identified himself as part of the LGBTQ community and spoke about the importance of representation and acceptance in schools.

“Visibility is incredibly important, especially in a school district,” Zhong said. “There were times in my life when I didn’t feel valued or seen as an individual. The trans community was always there to support me and made me feel loved.”

Zhong paused during his remarks and appeared emotional. Board President Beth Albiani, seated beside him, touched his arm in an act of comfort.

The vote came one day after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lower-court ruling to stand in Mirabelli v. Bonta, a case involving California policies on parental notification about gender identity issues in schools. The ruling leaves in place a decision preventing the state from enforcing rules that block school districts from informing parents if their child identifies as a different gender at school.

The legal decision added another layer to Tuesday’s debate, with a few speakers referencing parental notification policies during their remarks.

Despite the controversy and lengthy testimony, the board ultimately adopted the resolution declaring March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility within the district.

The observance, recognized internationally since 2009, is intended to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness about discrimination faced by the community. However, the Elk Grove meeting illustrated the increasingly polarized local debate over how schools should address gender identity and support LGBTQ students.

The proceedings can be viewed in the video.