RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE GROUPS BEHIND AN EFFORT TO REPEAL A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW THAT PROVIDES CERTAIN RIGHTS TO TRANSGENDER STUDENTS FAILED TO GARNER ENOUGH VOTER SIGNATURES FOR THE NOVEMBER 2014 BALLOT. ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE GROUP GATHERED ALMOST SIX HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND SIGNATURES, BUT ONLY JUST OVER FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND WERE VALID. OVER FIVE HUNDRED FOUR THOUSAND SIGNATURES WERE NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC VOTE ON THE LAW SIGNED BY GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN LAST YEAR. THE PRIVACY FOR ALL STUDENTS COALITION PLANS TO REVIEW THE DISQUALIFIED SIGNATURES AND MAY GO TO COURT TO GET THE THEM INCLUDED.
THE LAW IN QUESTION BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST AND GUARANTEES STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH 12 THE RIGHT TO USE THE SCHOOL RESTROOMS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GENDER-SEGREGATED ACTIVITIES WHICH CORRESPOND WITH THEIR EXPRESSED GENDER IDENTITY.
