California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed AB 957.
This is a bill I have been tracking for more than six months.
In its most recent iteration- the one which passed both parts of the California legislature- the bill would have made affirming a child’s chosen gender to the betterment of the child’s health, safety, and welfare.
This means that if your boy thinks he’s now a girl the parent who goes along is acting in the child’s health, safety, and welfare.
The one who continues to believe the boy is a boy is not, and that parent is likely to lose custody.
The bill was co-sponsored by two of the most radical members of the California legislature: State Assemblywoman Lori Wilson and State Assemblyman Scott Wiener.
Check out this story which includes an interview with Assemblywoman Wilson’s staff from when the bill’s language was far less aggressive.
Assemblyman Wiener has sponsored all sorts of trans friendly legislation including SB 107, which provides sanctuary for parents who want to transition their kids, but they live in a state where that is not allowed.
State Sen. Scott Wiener is celebrating today — his bill, SB 107, which will erode parents’ rights by allowing minor children to travel to California for trans procedures, puberty blockers, known as “gender-affirming health care.”
Should SB 107 pass, non-parent adults could bring minor children to California for experimental and damaging transgender medical interventions, without the knowledge or consent of their parents.
The bill would make California a destination state for “transgender” procedures for minors.
Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Lori Wilson has a trans child, and she may have made this bill personal.
The California Legislature now has its first parent of a transgender child. Suisun City Mayor Lori Wilson easily won election Tuesday to the open 11th Assembly District seat that straddles Solano and Contra Costa counties.
Wilson who, with her husband, has a transgender son in college, took her oath of office Wednesday morning. As her name was the only one on the ballot for the April 5 special election, Wilson garnered 26,293 votes or 100% of those reported as of Wednesday morning.
"Thank you to the voters of Assembly District 11 for your confidence and trust. I am deeply humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve our communities in the state Assembly," stated Wilson, who participated in her last City Council meeting Tuesday night. "From constituents who need help with state services, to challenges like rising homelessness, climate change, and keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe, I promise to work every day to deliver results for our communities, and to be a relentless advocate for every person who lives in our district."
The bill was set to become law, when Governor Newsom surprised nearly everyone by vetoing it.
The surprise move has set off a flurry of activity. The group, Equality California, was none too happy.
“We are disappointed and disheartened by Governor Newsom’s decision to veto AB 957, which would have helped to ensure that the unique needs of transgender and gender non-conforming youth are explicitly considered in child custody and visitation decisions.
At a time where LGBTQ+ youth, specifically trans youth are facing higher rates of depression and suicide, reassurance and protection from our state is in dire need. Anti-LGBTQ+ extremists targeted this modest and straightforward legislation as part of their coordinated attacks on trans youth in California, and the failure to enact this bill bolsters their dangerous efforts. We are grateful to Assemblymember Lori Wilson for her unwavering commitment to the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming young people. Despite this setback, we will continue working with the Legislature and Governor Newsom to protect the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community
Meanwhile, many conservatives refused to give Newsom any credit, arguing this was a cynical move.
Whatever his reasoning, the governor’s veto may not be the end of the story.
The Democratic party has veto proof supermajorities in both chambers.
The legislature may indeed move to override his veto.
