California sues Trump administration trans student privacy protections in a historic legal move that has sent shockwaves through the American education system. On February 11, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta officially filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging a federal mandate that threatens to withhold nearly $5 billion in funding unless the state agrees to “out” transgender students to their parents. This case, California sues Trump administration trans student privacy, marks the most significant direct confrontation between a blue state and the federal government regarding LGBTQ+ rights in 2026.
The core of the issue in California sues Trump administration trans student privacy centers on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Trump administration argues that FERPA requires schools to notify parents if a student changes their name or pronouns. However, as California sues Trump administration trans student privacy lawyers point out, California law AB 1955 explicitly forbids school districts from requiring teachers to disclose a student’s gender identity without the student’s consent. Attorney General Bonta argues that the federal government is overstepping its authority by trying to redefine privacy laws to fit a specific political agenda. “We are in substantial compliance with federal law,” Bonta stated during the filing of California sues Trump administration trans student privacy. “This is an unconstitutional attempt to target vulnerable children.”
The financial stakes in California sues Trump administration trans student privacy are staggering. The U.S. Department of Education has threatened to terminate $4.9 billion in federal funding that supports California’s lowest-income students, special education programs, and school lunches. By moving forward with California sues Trump administration trans student privacy, the state is putting its fiscal health on the line to defend the safety of trans youth. LGBTQ+ advocates warn that “forced outing” policies lead to increased rates of domestic violence and homelessness among queer youth. At gay-chat.org, we are following the California sues Trump administration trans student privacy case closely, as its outcome will set a precedent for every other state in the Union. If California wins, it secures a future where schools remain safe havens; if it loses, the privacy of every student in America could be at risk.
