On Saturday, Governor Gavin Newsom of California approved a series of bills designed to enhance the state’s safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals, a move that followed a contentious veto decision the previous day, drawing criticism from advocacy groups.
Among the newly enacted laws, several are geared towards supporting LGBTQ+ youth. One of these laws establishes specific timelines for mandatory cultural competency training for teachers and staff in public schools, while another establishes an advisory task force tasked with identifying the requirements of LGBTQ+ students and advancing supportive initiatives.
Additionally, a third law mandates that families demonstrate their capability and willingness to meet the needs of a foster child, irrespective of the child’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
“California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we’re committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians,” Newsom said in a statement. “These measures will help protect vulnerable youth, promote acceptance, and create more supportive environments in our schools and communities.”
Furthermore, the governor approved a law mandating that schools serving students from first through twelfth grade must ensure the availability of at least one gender-neutral restroom by the year 2026.
This legislation was prompted by a school district in Southern California, which implemented a policy necessitating schools to inform parents when their children decide to change their pronouns or utilize a restroom corresponding to a gender different from the one officially listed on their records.
A judge suspended the policy following a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta against the Chino Valley Unified School District. This legal case is still in progress.
Governor Newsom’s approval of these bills occurred subsequent to his veto of a bill on Friday. This bill would have mandated judges to take into account whether a parent supports their child’s gender identity when determining custody and visitation arrangements.
Assemblymember Lori Wilson, a Democrat who introduced the legislation and has a grown son who openly identified as transgender during his teenage years, joined LGBTQ+ advocates in expressing disapproval of the governor’s choice.
“I’ve been disheartened over the last few years as I watched the rising hate and heard the vitriol toward the trans community. My intent with this bill was to give them a voice, particularly in the family court system where a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of a child,” Wilson said in a statement.
