California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs raft of bills to boost LGBTQ+ rights – with one big exception
Sacramento, California - California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed six pieces of legislation promoting LGBTQ+ rights, shortly after vetoing another measure designed to protect trans youth.
![California Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend signed several bills to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights in the state while vetoing another.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/1/f/1fw4kgzimm7nfuhdd9om15r8sqczgji4.jpg)
Newsom has signed a raft of new bills to expand LGBTQ+ rights in the state, including:
- AB 5 to set implementation timelines for mandatory LGBTQ+ cultural competency training by public school faculty and staff;
- SB 857 to create a task force to identify LGBTQ+ student needs and assist in implementing supportive programs;
- AB 223 to require courts to keep confidential any petition by a minor for a change of gender and sex identifier;
- AB 760 to require public colleges and universities to update student records so they reflect legally changed names and gender identity;
- SB 372 to establish a board within the Department of Consumer Affairs to update licensing records to recognize legally changed names and gender identity;
- AB 994 to ensure law enforcement use people's chosen names and gender identities when sharing information about people they arrest on social media;
- SB 407 to increase protections for transgender and non-binary youth in the foster care system;
- AB 783 to direct cities and counties to advise applicants for business licenses that single-user restrooms must be labeled all-gender; and
- SB 760 to require public schools have at least one all-gender restroom.
"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."
Governor Newsom vetoes another trans youth rights bill
![A participant holds a "Trans Rights Are Human Rights" sign during the 2023 Los Angeles Pride Parade on June 11, 2023.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/d/p/dpotyc9dymej6wphyriz1u0pqt6zc9b8.jpg)
The governor's signature on the three measures came after he vetoed another bill, AB 957, on Saturday. The measure would have enabled courts to consider parents' affirmation of a child's gender identity when determining custody and visitation decisions.
"I urge caution when the Executive and Legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate – in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic – legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply," the governor wrote in a letter to the legislature.
"Other-minded elected officials, in California and other states, could very well use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities," he added.
Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener on X called the governor's decision "a tragedy for trans kids here & around the country."
"These kids are living in fear, with right wing politicians working to out them, deny them health care, ban them from sports & restrooms & erase their humanity. CA needs to unequivocally stand with these kids," Wiener said.
The California Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus described Newsom's rejection as "a missed opportunity to remind the nation that California is a safe haven for transgender and nonbinary children."
Cover photo: Collage: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Josh Edelson / AFP