Victory for Parents: CA School District Drops Appeal after Forcing Fifth Grader to Teach Transgender Lesson to a Kindergartener

California Family Council : Nov 19, 2025
California Family Council

"My school forced me to teach my kindergarten buddy about changing his gender using a book called 'My Shadow Is Pink'… I knew this was not right, but I was afraid of getting in trouble. After my family spoke up, the school treated us badly, and kids started bullying me and my brother because of our faith, and the school did nothing to stop it. It hurt a lot, but I kept trusting God. I believe kids like me should be able to live our faith at school without being forced to go against what we believe." -Shea Encinas, 5th grade

[CaliforniaFamily.org] In a major win for parental rights and religious liberty, the Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) has voluntarily dismissed its Ninth Circuit appeal, leaving in place a federal court decision that protects families from being blindsided by gender ideology in elementary classrooms. (Screengrab image: via YouTube-First Liberty Institute)

The district's withdrawal upholds a preliminary injunction issued in May 2025, requiring schools to provide three days' advance notice and opt-outs whenever gender identity content is presented in the district's "buddy" mentoring programs.

The case centered on Shea Encinas, a fifth-grade student who was forced to teach a kindergartner about gender identity using the controversial book My Shadow Is Pink—despite Shea's and his family's deeply held Christian beliefs.

National Attorneys Applaud Decision

Two legal organizations served as co-counsel for the Encinas family: The National Center for Law & Policy (NCLP) and First Liberty Institute.

Dean Broyles, President of the National Center for Law & Policy, celebrated the outcome:

"The Supreme Court's decision affirms that parents have the right to know what their children are being taught in school, and to opt out when that teaching interferes with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Our clients are vindicated now that the District appears to be aligning its policies with Supreme Court precedent, as a result of this litigation."

Kayla Toney, Counsel for First Liberty Institute, added:

"We are glad that the school district saw the writing on the wall and withdrew their appeal in light of Supreme Court precedent and the District's preliminary injunction loss. We're committed to ensuring that children aren't forced to speak a message that violates their convictions, and that parents aren't afraid to exercise their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by requesting opt-outs."

Shea Speaks Before President Trump: "I Believe Kids Like Me Should Be Able to Live Our Faith at School"

The Encinas family's story gained national attention when 12-year-old Shea was invited to testify two months ago before the President's Religious Liberty Commission, where President Trump publicly honored him for his courage. Standing beside the President, Shea described the trauma of being forced to promote gender ideology against his faith:

"My school forced me to teach my kindergarten buddy about changing his gender using a book called 'My Shadow Is Pink'... I knew this was not right, but I was afraid of getting in trouble. After my family spoke up, the school treated us badly, and kids started bullying me and my brother because of our faith, and the school did nothing to stop it. It hurt a lot, but I kept trusting God. I believe kids like me should be able to live our faith at school without being forced to go against what we believe." (Click Here to watch the video clip)

First Liberty Institute President and Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford, who sits on the Commission, praised Shea's courage during the meeting:

"Government and school officials violating the religious freedoms of children is inexcusable. The testimonies at today's meeting highlight the need to make sure these violations don't continue against other children and the urgency of ensuring the religious freedoms of our students- now and into the future."

What Happened to the Encinas Family

In May 2024, Shea's fifth-grade teacher at La Costa Heights Elementary read aloud "My Shadow Is Pink," a book promoting gender identity fluidity and encouraging children to question their biological sex. Shea and his classmates were then required to show a video version of the book to kindergarten "buddies," ask the younger students what color "represents them," and draw the children's chalk "shadows."

The Encinas family had previously opted out of the district's health lessons covering similar themes, but EUSD refused to provide notification or allow opt-outs for the gender identity activity.

When the parents voiced concerns, school officials and parent groups retaliated, coordinating a "Pink Out the Hate" event that targeted Shea and his younger brother. The Encinas family ultimately withdrew both boys from the district due to bullying, harassment, and administrative hostility.

California Family Council Celebrates Victory

California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt praised the district's decision to drop the appeal:

"Parents, not government bureaucrats, are the primary stewards of their children's education and moral formation. This case makes clear that public schools cannot impose transgender ideology on students and then punish families for objecting. The Encinas family's courage has secured critical protections for parents across California." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here