News Update

Hundreds protest Bakersfield teacher who supports student confidentiality on gender identity

More than 300 people attended a Kern High School District board meeting Monday night to protest — or support — a teacher who was quoted in The New York Times supporting students’ rights to confidentiality regarding gender identity, the Bakersfield Californian reported.

The teacher, Olivia Garrison, did not attend the meeting. The board didn’t take action because the item was not on the agenda, but did direct the superintendent to review the district policy.

Brandon Holthaus, senior pastor of Rock Harbor Church, was among those who called for the board to investigate and possibly fire Garrison, who teaches at Del Oro High School in Bakersfield.

Garrison’s comments, Holthaus said at te meeting, “are a violation of parental authority. I understand that (teachers) hear a lot of stuff (and issues from students). We’re asking them: Punt that, please. Punt that to the professionals and do not try to take that on yourself. You’re an educator. You are not a psychotherapist or a counselor that can handle those kinds of things.”

The New York Times quoted Garrison as saying, “My job, which is a public service, is to protect kids. … Sometimes, they need protection from their own parents.” The article focused on teachers who don’t inform parents when students discuss their gender identity.

Lance Mack, a transgender male who attends a local college, spoke at the board meeting in support of Garrison and LGBTQ students’ rights.

“If a student has decided to come out to someone at school rather than someone at home, there’s probably something going on at home,” he said. “Sometimes students just need space to be themselves. Maybe that can lead them to coming out at home later if it’s more about just needing a separate space.”