California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a new bill on Friday that would have provided parental support during custody cases for children regarding their gender identity.
The measure would have instructed judges responsible for presiding over such cases to consider a parent's support for the child's gender identity before making decisions.
California's Child Gender Identity Bill
Newsom also wrote a letter saying that while he shares a "deep commitment" to advancing transgender rights, he urged caution about making legal standards in "prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic."
The Democratic lawmaker added that similar-minded elected officials in California and other states across the country could use such a strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities.
The California governor noted that under existing state law, the court must consider a child's health, safety, and welfare in these proceedings. This is something that Newsom said already includes the parent's affirmation of the child's gender identity, as per the New York Times.
While Newsom did not elaborate further on his stance on the matter, Scott Altman, a law professor at the University of Southern California, said that the veto decision could have stemmed from a concern that courts could overemphasize that particular fact of parental love. He also warned that it could lead to courts discriminating against parents whose religions adhere to traditional gender roles.
The bill's sponsor, Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, said following the veto that she was "extremely disappointed." She added that she had already been "disheartened" by what she called the "rising hate and vitriol" toward transgender people."
Newsom's veto decision is a break from the governor's usual stance on transgender rights, and Wilson called him a "champion" for LGBTQ people. The bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Scott Wiener, said the California governor was a "staunch ally."
Gavin Newsom Vetoes Bill
The vetoed bill, AB 957, was passed earlier this month by the state assembly and was quickly sent to Newsom's desk for his signature. While issuing his disagreement with the measure, the governor said that he appreciates the "passion and values" that led Wilson to introduce the bill in the first place, according to Fox News.
Under the proposed bill, gender affirmation would have become one of the several factors judges should consider when deciding custody cases. Wilson noted that her bill would not have required parents to move forward with gender transition medical treatment.
The situation comes after Newsom signed several bills on Saturday to bolster California's protections for LGBTQ+ people. These include legislation that focuses on support for youth within the community.
One law provided timelines for required cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff. Another creates an advisory task force that would determine the needs of LGBTQ+ students and help advance supportive initiatives.
At the time, the governor said that the state is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation regarding the protection and support of the LGBTQ+ community. He added that they are committed to the ongoing work to create safer and more inclusive spaces for all California residents, said Yahoo News.
