California gender-identity law elicits praise from LGBTQ+ groups with backlash from conservative groups

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday that will stop schools from notifying parents if a student changes their gender identity while in school.

Jacob Agameo is a LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator at the Epicenter in Salinas, and he said it's a step in the right direction.

"We are still living in a sort of a society, in a political climate, where young people especially are experiencing gender, dysphoria or feelings of confusion about their gender. They're not necessarily safe to talk about that to their families," said Agameo.

Agameo thinks public schools are a safe place for young people to better understand their gender identity.

"And so one of the only other places that they really exist is at school," said Agameo. "If they can feel safe at school to explore and to come to a better understanding of what their gender identity is, then that is going to be better in the long run for them and their health."

Jeff Gorman with the Monterey County Republican party has a much different take on the new law.

"This law goes in the wrong direction," said Gorman. "Instead of saying, parents do have rights, we're going to strengthen parents’ rights. This [law] takes away from parents' rights."

The new law won't go into effect until next year.