Pride and Prejudice in Orange County
In recent years, OC went from being a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community to a battleground where members of the community are finding many of their rights and identities being challenged. Photo by EMILY PARIS, Photo Editor
Orange County has been a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community ever since the budding film industry discovered the beauty of Laguna Beach in the 1920s and welcomed the first wave of openly gay men as film crew members.
However, the recent trends in OC legislation may indicate a changing landscape for safety and autonomy for the LGBTQ+ community. This is also reflected in the 2022 OC Hate Crimes Report, which stated a 126% increase in anti-LGBTQ hate activity in 2022 compared to 2021.
On Feb. 7, the Huntington Beach City Council voted to retract their 2021 decision to hoist the rainbow flag at City Hall each spring in recognition of Pride Month. Council member Pat Burns spearheaded this decision, which serves to impose restrictions on the types of flags permitted to be flown on city property.
“As a part of the community, I am heartbroken by the underlying impact of these seemingly innocuous decisions,” said Chapman sophomore film production major Cameran Ford. “Most people believe that this legislation is merely symbolic, but they fail to acknowledge the fact that it legitimizes intolerance and hatred of LGBTQ+ individuals.”
Soon thereafter, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted June 6 –– the start of Pride Month –– to ban the display of the rainbow pride flag on all county properties, including public parks and the Civic Center. The decision limited flags displayed to county, state, national symbols and U.S. prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. Andrew Do, the vice chair of the board, initially proposed this legislation, which was supported by Don Wagner and Doug Chaffee, the supervisors of the third and fourth districts, respectively. Do cited his concern that hoisting flags in support of specific groups could lead to "divisive" public discussions during policy-making sessions.
“The legitimization of intolerance toward the community is visible through the series of events that unfolded –– from the Huntington Beach legislation to the subsequent decision by the OC Supervisors,” Ford continued. “The abolition of support for the community opens the door to other policies that infringe on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in OC.”
“The legitimization of intolerance toward the community is visible through the series of events that unfolded –– from the Huntington Beach legislation to the subsequent decision by the OC Supervisors. The abolition of support for the community opens the door to other policies that infringe on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in OC.”
Furthermore, on Sept. 7, members of the Orange Unified School District unanimously approved a policy mandating parents be notified when school officials or faculty learn that a child identifies as transgender. Three board members walked out before the vote was held. The criteria for parental notification include instances where a child uses a different name or pronoun than what aligns with their biological sex, as well as when students express a desire to participate in sex-segregated activities on a side different from their biological sex.
“We see a political battle taking place over gender and its intersection with any number of social spaces and institutions. This includes schools and education,” said Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge, Chapman’s director of LGBTQ+ Pride and Achievement. “Policies and practices are being written and lobbied in many places which cast transgender people in a deficit light and exclude the voices of those from this community. Inclusion and human thriving cannot develop when a community is seen or officially named as problematic or less than.”
“We see a political battle taking place over gender and its intersection with any number of social spaces and institutions. This includes schools and education. Policies and practices are being written and lobbied in many places which cast transgender people in a deficit light and exclude the voices of those from this community. Inclusion and human thriving cannot develop when a community is seen or officially named as problematic or less than.”
On Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would direct judges in custody battles to consider a parent's support for a child's gender identity in decision-making. This move, seen as a deviation from Newsom's general support for transgender rights, was explained in a letter where he cautioned against creating legal standards that focus on a single characteristic.
While expressing a deep commitment to transgender rights, Newsom cited the potential misuse of such standards by other officials to undermine civil rights. The governor argued that existing state law already mandates consideration of a child's health, safety and welfare, encompassing affirmation of gender identity.
Despite his veto of the transgender rights bill, Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 23 aimed at enhancing protections and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
These measures include Assembly Bill (AB) 5, which mandates LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff. Senate Bill 857 establishes an advisory task force dedicated to identifying statewide needs of LGBTQ+ pupils and facilitating supportive initiatives. Additionally, AB 223 ensures the confidentiality of court records for minors seeking a change in gender and sex identification. According to Newsom, these actions collectively address the comprehensive well-being and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.
“There are discourses which challenge those who are non-heterosexual,” Nguyen-Stockbridge told The Panther. “I expect that we may see a great deal more of the same taking place politically, both in courts and at policy tables. As active participants of our society, it is urgent that we attend to the protection of human rights.”
Gov. Newson signed AB 1078 into law on Sept. 27, prohibiting school boards in the state from implementing textbook bans related to racial and LGBTQ+ subject matter. The bill ensures that school boards cannot reject resource material and library books that promote inclusive and diverse perspectives. It aims to prevent the rejection of books based on their teachings about the contributions of individuals from various racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities, thus emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity in educational materials within the state.
“Individuals may be interested in staying informed by following organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, the Trevor Project or GLSEN (Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network),” Nguyen-Stockbridge said. “The Orange County LGBTQ Center can provide insight to local political happenings and ways to get involved.”