Who is Tony Thurmond? California school superintendent thrown out of meeting for opposing policy about transgender students
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A California superintendent was unceremoniously thrown out of a school board meeting for vehemently opposing a rule requiring teachers to inform parents if their child is transgender.
California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond was expelled from the Chino Valley Unified school board meeting on Thursday, July 20, after he used more of his permitted time to vehemently criticize the policy.
Why was Tony Thurmond thrown out?
At the hearing, Thurmond sparred with Sonja Shaw, the school board's president, while over 300 people were present in the main auditorium at Don Lugo High School in Chino, California. Shaw retaliated when Thurmond said the new policies placed transgender students "at risk," saying he was "proposing things that pervert children."
The board ultimately decided 4-1 to implement the parental notice policy, which was applauded by the audience. Thurmond slammed the plan as it singled out vulnerable students before he was escorted away by security amid shouts of "kick him out," per Daily Mail.
The policy was floated in June. According to the policy, schools have to inform parents if their child identifies as transgender in three days after they receive the information. If a student engages in any sort of violence or talks about suicide, teachers were required to let the parents know.
Thurmond said at the meeting, "The policy you consider tonight may not only fall outside of privacy laws, but may put our students at risk." He was captured on camera during the hearing interrupting Shaw when she gave the order to return to his seat after he had finished speaking.
As Thurmond sat back down, loud applause broke out, prompting Shaw to tell the crowd to "be respectful." She said, "Tony Thurmond, I appreciate you being here tremendously, but here's the problem - we are here because of people like you. In Sacramento, you're proposing things that hurt children. The California state legislature, which has approved several controversial laws about transgender youths, is located in the city.
'Leave our kids alone'
Shaw continued to attack Thurmond after he left the stage. She said, "Why was it so important for you to walk with my opponent? You are the very reason why we're in this." AMid all of this, a chunk of the people gathered chanted, "Leave our kids alone," while others carried placards demanding Shaw's recall.
The timing of the hearing coincides with concerns being voiced about the best method to assist young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Previously transgender people who believe they were coerced into intrusive operations have recently launched a number of lawsuits against healthcare professionals.
Who is Tony Thurmond?
On January 7, 2019, Thurmond was sworn in as the 28th State Superintendent of Public Instruction for California. An educator, social worker and parent, Thurmond has more than 15 years of experience in various eminent positions in California. He formerly held positions on the West Contra Costa Unified School Board, the Richmond City Council and the California State Assembly, where he represented District 15.
To escape poverty, Thurmond's family turned to public assistance programs and outstanding public schools. He was able to attend Temple University thanks to his public schooling, where he rose to the position of student body president. Later, he graduated from Bryn Mawr College with dual master's degrees in law, and social policy and social work (MSW).
