In the Lamorinda community, daily protests against transgender rhetoric and children transitioning genders before puberty have been occurring in front of the Lafayette Elementary School. Lisa Disbrow leads the demonstration and is often seen with signs with quotes like “No one is Born in the Wrong Body.” The Lafayette Superintendent Brent Stephens has shown his support for the transgender community and is working with the district to find ways to deal with these potentially harmful protests.
Disbrow is not afraid to show her opinions in the Lamorinda community and expressed that the negative and threatening comments she receives do not bring her down because she also receives a lot of support. Disbrow spoke about how children who may be thinking about transitioning need to get their parents involved. She stated, “Those struggling with gender distress need accurate, medically sound, biologically grounded information along with unbiased, non-activist based therapy that compassionately helps both the minor and the family unravel the conflicts, the issues, and other factors causing their suffering.”
Even though Disbrow has very passionate beliefs and is not scared to protest about them, Stephens shared how the district is handling this protesting. Stephens stated, “The District was proud to pass a resolution to observe Transgender Day of Visibility, and we’re proud of our work to welcome every child, family, and staff member into our community of learners.”
Disbrow also shared her thoughts on the resolution for the Transgender Day of Visibility. She stated, “LAFSD students are 4-13 years old, vulnerable and easily manipulated by school authorities when district staff advocate any ideology, social theory in contradiction of the parents beliefs and without the explicit knowledge and consent of their parents. The transgender resolution supports gender affirmation theory based on students self-identification and unlimited gender identities versus biology.”
Stephens stated, “We have been respectful of the First Amendment rights that allow the signs on a public sidewalk, but it saddens us greatly that the people holding these signs seem to place their own beliefs above any concern for the wellbeing of the real-life children, parents, and staff in our school community.” Stephens’ thoughts show that it is very disheartening to not only the children and parents driving by to go to school, but also people that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
While Disbrow may want everyone driving by to agree with her opinions, she mentioned how the rainbow flag waving group covered up her signs and that she wants to put out there that, like her sign that says, “Truth is NOT TRANSPHOBIC.”
Stephens stated how the district is looking out for the LGBTQ+ community. He stated, “I have had conversations with the individuals holding the signs, and hope to have more in the future, but the District’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is unwavering.”
Stephens said he is very committed to make everyone feel welcomed and Disbrow is very committed to show how “no one is born in the wrong body,” and both are trying their hardest to show “the truth.”
Kelleyanne • May 31, 2024 at 12:28 pm
I really respect this journalist! I believe she informed the community about recent events and I am unsure why people are coming at her. The people who were interviewed agreed to this and this was very unbiased.
One cannot say that they disagree with this article because the journalists thoughts were not shared and she simply shared what she was told by the district members and the protester.
A high school student reporting on such a “sensitive” subject is brave and honorable.
My opinions don’t matter and I respect everyone’s opinion, but no one needs to comment on this article trying to prove that their opinions are the only ones that matter. The district’s comments are not offensive towards the protesters either.
As a mother of a student at the Lafayette Elementary, I think people need to understand that children are very impressionable and showing them these negative comments can make them not accept people who may be transgender which is simply unacceptable. Parents should teach their children to be accepting of everyone and not comment on other people’s decisions because it is not our life to comment on. Children who may not feel comfortable with their gender can express that to their parents and their parents can decide what to do to make their child feel comfortable, not a protestor.
This article is great, informative, and very well written and the “bullying” that the protestors receive is brought entirely upon themselves. If you express negative comments towards one group of people, you are bound to have people disagree with you. It is simply useless to stand out in front of an elementary school and express your opinions. It is a waste of time and energy and I often ask myself, why do these protestors care what other children, parents, or people choose to do with their kids or themselves in general?
I believe no hate should be expressed to this reporter who is simply touching on a relevant topic.
Lisa Disbrow • May 26, 2024 at 9:05 pm
Public education in California has embraced gender ideology without the consent of the people. Sexual orientation, gender identity, unlimited gender choices for minors and affirmation of children changing their gender to a different gender have been imposed on communities. The current elected school boards are now ignoring the views, values, cultures and moral convictions of many community members who believe there are only 2 sexes/genders. As is their right.
School staff claim to recognize and respect all people while teaching all children concepts that oppose many people’s beliefs. This is gaslighting 101.
In Lafayette and across California atheists, feminists, Muslims, Catholics, lesbians, gays, Protestants, and others of moral convictions don’t want schools parenting them nor their kids. They refuse to give up their rights because the school system is subservient to other political, cultural views. The schools belong to everyone. Currently it’s popular to discriminate against people who recognize there are only 2 sexes and don’t want schools confusing and undermining their kids. They/we experience bullying, name calling, doxing, and calls for firing from jobs. They are called haters, bigots, racists for exercising their freedoms.
This is gender ideology injustice. Teachers are threatened to lie to parents about gender record changes at school. Students are taught it’s ok to lie to parents. This is very twisted and dangerous. The schools have taken on the role of cultural dictators.
Superintendent Stephens and the Lafayette School Board’s gender ideology activism is actually harming, exposing the vulnerable, socially awkward, those with mental health issues, those fearing puberty and those with trauma to known health risks associated with social transition, puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and removal of healthy tissue. Their adult lives may include sterility, heart disease, blood issues, osteoporosis and the loss of adult sexual pleasure. If adults choose to alter their bodies that’s their decision. But affirming such a challenging pathway for a child, a minor, also deprives them of the time to think through and process their thoughts and emotions.
Our signs say FIRST DO NO HARM. Every child deserves to be taught that their body is authentic, wonderful, natural and perfect. If they suffer from gender dysphoria or distress they should have time, support, counseling and loving parents so they can resolve the issues. As adults they will at least have a healthy body as they make their adult decisions. The gift of a healthy body is to be celebrated and appreciated.
The conflict centers on the rights of people to choose their own beliefs, the obligation of the school to respect the beliefs of the diverse community and that schools stop dictating cultural agendas, activism and progressive beliefs on other peoples children. After school groups can meet for voluntary participation in special activities based on their interests.
Public schools must remain unbiased, transparent and respectful of all public members.
To learn more about the consequences from puberty blockers, etc search for Detransitioners, Princess Diaries, Lost Boy’s.
We advocate for open Townhall meetings and more discussion on this issue.
First Do No Harm
A life is a terrible thing to hurt
LisaDisbrow
Hanni Ahmed • May 25, 2024 at 4:44 pm
She is respectful with her beliefs and opinions. She does not bother me or my children. In fact, my children find the transgender beliefs to be odd and forced upon them. They find it silly. I agree with them.
I believe in human rights, and I believe in equality. I don’t feel like my beliefs or opinions are threatened or slandered in any way shape or form by Ms. Disbrow. Because people have a difference in opinion doesn’t make anyone more right or wrong. I applaud her for exercising her rights to freedom of speech.
Sasha Aguilar • May 25, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Brent Stephens and the teachers should be curious about the number of gay kids, autistic kids, bullied kids, and anxious kids who now believe their bodies are “wrong” due to extremely rigid gender stereotypes that the trans pharmaceutical lobby promotes in order to “sell” medical transition to minors. I hope this reporter does her research in the lack of evidence found for medical transition in the reviews done in the UK (The Cass Report), Finland, Germany, and Sweden. We should never tell young people that they were born wrong. This is psychological abuse. We need to promote radical self-love and self acceptance in our young people. I recommend reading the Cass Report, detransitioners such as Keira Bell or Ritchie Herron, Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine, or my own leftist substack on gender in public schools.
Mark Lonergan • May 25, 2024 at 2:27 pm
While I support all LGBTQ persons, the risks of irreversible medical treatments are real and should be considered objectively.
Lisa Disbrow • May 25, 2024 at 1:49 pm
The effort to label advocacy for biological sexuality as hating anyone is anti diversity, anti inclusive, anti welcoming and fear mongering. Labeling people who disagree as attacking others is intended to silence and minimize the voices of those who disagree with the rainbow advocates. This is not respectful, American nor helpful when our society includes many different points of view that are protected by our legal system.
People who disagree with introducing sexual orientation, unlimited gender identities, and secret gender record changes from parents by their own young children ages 4-13 are are compassionate and committed to the protection of children. We are informing and warning others about the severe health and safety consequences experienced when kids are told they can be trapped in the wrong body and pursue social transition, irreversible puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and removal of healthy body parts.
Those with gender distress deserve support, time and the therapy necessary to explore the genesis of their distress with their parents. Parents deserve notification of gender record changes so they can contribute to their child’s emotional journey.
To reject puberty as essential for the healthy development of a child into adulthood is unhealthy just as to block puberty is unhealthy.
Our goal for every child is to First Do No Harm so they can live their healthy authentic lives as they want for the rest of their lives.
It’s time that public school board members and staff remember the diversity of community views, values, culture and religion and show respect for all points of view versus inflame division against those who believe in biological sex only.
LisaDisbrow