California governor Gavin Newsom urged to sign ‘critical’ trans rights bills into law
Gavin Newsom has been urged to sign the bills into law. (Getty)
Gavin Newsom has been urged to sign the bills into law. (Getty)
California governor Gavin Newsom has been urged to sign five “critical” bills supporting trans people in the US state.
A collective of trans groups called on the Californian public to contact the governor’s office urging Gavin Newsom to sign five bills that passed the state’s legislature this month.
The set of sweeping protective orders include provisions that would strengthen discrimination protections for trans people, codify their right to privacy and safety as US citizens, and declare California a “state of refuge” for the community.
TransFamily Support Services, who co-sponsored the bills, called their creation a “major victory” made possible through “a powerful collective effort.”
“Now these bills have reached the final stage, Governor Newsom must sign them into law, and we need your help to urge him to do so,” a spokesperson said. “As trans rights face growing attacks nationwide and federal protections are rolled back, California must continue to lead the way.”
Several US states have seen a sharp rise in the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed over the past few years, with 533 bills proposed this year alone. These bills range from anti-trans bathroom bans, censorship of LGBTQ+ subjects in schools, and an array of healthcare barriers.
Nearly a quarter of trans youth in the US live in states that ban gender-affirming care for under-19s according to the Human Rights Campaign.
TransFamily called on Newsom to sign the bills and ensure trans people are protected in California, which it said has “long set the standard for LGBTQ+ protections.”
“We expect our leaders to uphold those values,” they continued. “When the federal government fails to protect us, we look to our state to have our back.”
The organisation urged Californian citizens to send letters or call governor Newsom’s office urging him to pass the bills into law.
Gavin Newsom’s shaky history on trans rights
While California has predominantly been a positive force for LGBTQ+ rights in the US, comments from Gavin Newsom have caused concern over his stance on trans rights.
While the 57-year-old governor has historically been an ally to the community, comments he made in March calling the inclusion of trans athletes “deeply unfair” led some to believe he was U-turning on the issue.
During a debut episode of his podcast, Newsom said he believed trans people’s right to participate in sporting events was an “issue of fairness,” and argued anti-trans touting over the alleged advantages trans women had in sports were “completely legit.”
Speaking with Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk prior to his death, Newsom said: “I think it’s an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness – it’s deeply unfair.”
The governor was further criticised weeks later after featuring notably far-right pundit and ‘America First’ advocate Steve Bannon, known for spreading anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy theories, on his podcast.
His apparent U-turn led to fierce backlash from activists and allies, with Bob the Drag Queen arguing that no one with trans friends or loved ones “would ever go around saying and doing these things.”
