Politics

Calif. Gov. Signs LGBTQ+ Protection Bills

SEP 25 2023·Updated AUG 27

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Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed several bills Saturday aimed at enhancing the state's protections for LGBTQ+ people.
ABC News
In a statement on the CA Gov. website, Newsom, a Democrat, said, "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."
California Governor
Much of the new legislation centers around supporting LGBTQ+ youth. One bill lays out schedules for required cultural competency training for teachers and staff at public schools, a second law creates an advisory task force to help evaluate and advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ students, and a third law will require foster families to show they are willing to meet the needs of foster children regardless of gender and sexual orientation.
The Associated Press
The governor also signed legislation that will require schools with first through 12th-grade students to have at least one gender-neutral bathroom available by 2026.
USA Today
The move comes just one day after Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 957 on Friday. The bill would have instructed judges to consider parents’ acceptance of children's gender identities in custody disputes.
The Sacramento Bee

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

While states across the nation are passing anti-LGBTQ legislation, California is making a clear statement that hate and bigotry against the LGBTQ community will not be tolerated and that the state will continue to protect LGBTQ people, especially LGBTQ youth.

California Governor

Republican narrative

While Newsom may have signed a slew of pro-LGBTQ laws on Saturday, it comes right after he bucked a number of progressive initiatives the day before. He's grandstanding on issues at the core of the Democratic Party — immigration and LGBTQ rights — and illustrating something Republicans have been saying for a long time: the Democrats are going too far to the left.