California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs 9 Pro-LGBTQ+ Bills Into Law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed nine LGBTQ-supportive bills into law last week after vetoing one.

Newsom, a Democrat, announced the signings Saturday evening.

The bills are:

• Assembly Bill 5 sets timelines for implementing LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff
• Senate Bill 857 creates an advisory task force to identify the needs of LGBTQ+ students and put supportive measures into force
• SB 407 directs the California Department of Social Services, when evaluating foster care homes, to make sure LGBTQ+ young people are not placed in hostile environments
• AB 223 requires any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier by a minor to be kept confidential by the court
• AB 760 requires public colleges and universities to update student records to reflect legally changed names and genders
• AB 783 directs cities to advise applicants for business licenses that single-user restrooms must be labeled all-gender
• SB 760 sets standards for all-gender restrooms in public and private K-12 schools
• SB 372 requires licensing boards to update records to recognize legally changed names and genders
• AB 994 assures that law enforcement uses arrestees’ chosen names and pronouns when posting information on social media, with some exceptions

The bill Newsom vetoed last week would have required courts, when making custody decisions, to consider whether a parent is supportive of a child’s gender identity. Newsom had said this measure went too far in dictating court actions and could have led “other-minded” politicians in California and elsewhere to “use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities.”

Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who is gay, had objected to Newsom’s veto of that legislation but praised his signing of SB 407, which Wiener authored. “LGBTQ youth deserve a supportive and affirming home the same as any other child,” Wiener said in a statement to The Bay Area Reporter. “I’m proud that California is taking this step to expand support for LGBTQ youth at a time when elected leaders in other states are targeting them with cruel restrictions and hate.”

In a press release, Newsom 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. These measures will help protect vulnerable youth, promote acceptance, and create more supportive environments in our schools and communities. I thank Senator Eggman and the LGBTQ Caucus for their dedicated leadership and partnership in advancing our state’s values of equality, freedom and acceptance.”

In the release, Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, added, “This year the LGBTQ Caucus took up the important work of protecting our communities in the face of vile anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, discriminatory laws across the country, and hatred. I appreciate the Governor’s partnership in signing some of our priority and endorsed legislation today and hope we can continue to educate about the harm LGBTQ+ people will continue to face if we fail to act.”

“While states across the nation are passing legislation that puts LGBTQ+ people and especially youth at risk, California is sending a clear message today — hate-filled attacks will not be tolerated and we will continue protecting and ensuring the safety of all members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang noted in the release. “We are thankful to our legislative partners for championing these important bills and to Governor Newsom for continuing to be such a strong ally in improving and protecting the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community as we face growing attacks from far-right extremists.”