We demand the Grossmont Union High School District follow the California Education Code 218 and 220, restore services to the LGBTQIA+ community, take action on all hate crimes, and create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ Community in the Grossmont Union High School District.

California Education Code 218: EDC - 218. - ARTICLE 2.7. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Pupil Resources [218. - 218.] This article in ed code requires the district to provide a supportive environment, school site resources, and community resources specifically for LGBTQ+ students.

California Education Code 220: EDC - 220. - ARTICLE 3. Prohibition of Discrimination [220. - 221.1.] This article prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code.

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The Grossmont Union High School District has a long history of actively oppressing LGBTQIA+ students and staff within their school district.

Recently, as the campaign for "parental rights" is spreading across the country, they have taken a more aggressive and vocal approach. Far-right parents have been showing up to board meetings and giving voice to hateful anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric.

Here are just a few of the current atrocities we are seeing in Grossmont Union High School District.

• A contract with San Diego Youth Services was cancelled because they might refer a student to gender affirming care and other LGBTQIA+ services.
• During that meeting, Trustee Gary Woods implied that LGBTQIA+ students were linked to or somehow the cause of human trafficking in a statement made in open session, "We need to look for alternatives that best reflect our east county values. I just saw the movie Sound of Freedom and it just tore my heart out to think that this kind of stuff is going on..." At the end of the statement he voted NO on extending the San Diego Youth Services contract.
• Trustee Anthony Carnevale from the Cajon Valley School District, who has publicly made anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ comments, who previously spoke at a rally organized by Santee Parents for Choice (affiliated with members of the groups Defend East County and Proud Boys), came out to speak in opposition to the contract with San Diego Youth Services. He previously indicated that SDYS is part of "a groomer cartel of non-profits."
• Trustee Anthony Carnevale and Trustee Gary Woods both have an anti-LGBTQ agenda and are collaborating outside of their respective boards with other trustee members of the Reform California movement to drive the LGBTQ+ population out of East County San Diego and promote hate and division.
• The Governing Board ignored a petition signed by 500 students asking for gender neutral bathrooms.
• The Governing Board ignored a group of 50 people dressed in white, primarily students, who came out to make public comment asking for gender neutral bathrooms.
• A Pride flag was burned on campus at Granite Hills High School. District administration classified it as a hate crime and Trustee Gary Woods removed the classification of it being a hate crime.
• An LGBTQ+ and DEI Learning Summit specifically designed to help educators better support students was mysteriously cancelled for "logistical reasons".
• The LGBTQ+ Special Education Director was placed on indefinite leave with no explanation.

There is a clear pattern of anti-LGBTQ+ behavior by Trustee Woods and several other board members. Sign Now, demanding they support our LGBTQ+ youth!