Judge Halted California University Anti-Misgendering Policy
A federal injunction blocks UC campuses from enforcing bans on using birth names or gender assigned at birth.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Law
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U.S. District Judge Fred Slaughter has issued an injunction preventing the University of California from enforcing its anti-misgendering policy. The ruling stops the university from prohibiting students from using a transgender person’s birth name or gender assigned at birth.
Why it matters
The court found that the university policy restricts constitutionally protected speech by compelling speech and regulating content based on viewpoint. This decision marks a significant legal hurdle for institutional speech policies across California.
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 4 students across UCLA, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego. While the injunction blocks anti-misgendering rules, the judge denied the request to bar enforcement of the university's ban on creating a hostile environment.
The players
Fred Slaughter
He is the U.S. District Judge who issued the injunction against the University of California policy.
University of California
It is a public university system that maintains policies regarding student conduct and speech.
Defending Education
This is the organization that filed the lawsuit on behalf of four unidentified students.
The details
Judge Slaughter ruled that the university’s policy unconstitutionally compels speech and regulates based on viewpoint. The University of California maintains that its policy is intended to target conduct rather than protected speech.
Timeline
September 15, 2026: Federal judge issued an injunction against the UC policy.
Political Context
The opposition argues that such policies are essential to maintaining an inclusive and non-hostile educational environment for all students. They contend that the judge's ruling misinterprets conduct-based regulations as compelled speech.
Students and faculty at the University of California campuses will see a shift in how campus speech policies are enforced regarding gender identity. This decision may lead to broader changes in how public institutions across the state handle conduct and speech regulations.
The takeaway
This ruling highlights the ongoing tension between institutional efforts to create inclusive campus environments and the legal protection of individual speech. Students should remain aware of potential policy updates as the university decides on a possible appeal.
Further reading
For additional context on recent judicial findings, visit the Law section.
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Should public universities be allowed to enforce policies that restrict the use of preferred pronouns?
