Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined 17 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case of Rinderle v. Cobb County School District. The coalition opposes a Georgia school district’s policies that prohibit staff from discussing topics deemed "divisive," which they argue undermines the ability to teach diverse books and curricula. These policies have led to the dismissal of a teacher for discussing age-appropriate LGBTQ+ issues and the broader censorship of such topics.

Attorney General Bonta expressed his concern, stating, “It’s appalling to witness those charged with ensuring the well-being of our students attempt to silence and erase marginalized groups from classroom discussions.” He emphasized the coalition's commitment to maintaining inclusive and diverse educational environments, noting that, “At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand against school officials who blatantly seek to undermine the rights of students, teachers and their families.”

The plaintiffs in Rinderle v. Cobb County School are seeking injunctive, declaratory, and compensatory relief against these policies. They argue that the laws are unconstitutionally vague, discriminate based on sex under the Fourteenth Amendment, and violate the right to receive information under both the First and Fourteenth Amendments. In contrast, California enforces protections aimed at fostering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools through various acts including the Fair Education Act and the California Healthy Youth Act.

The amicus brief filed by Bonta's coalition argues that these policies lack legitimate educational purpose and will stigmatize LGBTQ students while increasing anti-LGBTQ bias. The brief also highlights that amici States' policies allow educators to address LGBTQ-related topics appropriately without censorship.

Joining Attorney General Bonta in this effort are attorneys general from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.

A copy of the amicus brief is available here.