California Senator, Scott Wiener, proposed a bill that would protect transgender youth and their families by providing legal refuge to California to protect transgender youth from being taken away from their parents.

Texas and Florida are some states that are targeting transgender youth by threatening foster care or criminalizing parents for giving their children access to gender-affirming procedures. 

Equality for California is a co-sponsor of the bill, and it is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. Additionally, it is the only organization that works at a local, state, and national level. 

“This bill that we are co-sponsoring for Senator Wiener is to demonstrate that California can not take its standing protections for granted, and we are in a very good spot to be defensive and proactive to take action to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable,” said Jorge Reyes Salinas, Communications Director.

Salinas explains that parents need to speak up and resist the hate that is going on. A lot of the resistance that is going on is going to be seen in the upcoming elections.

“It’s not just happening in Texas. There are multiple attacks happening across the U.S. that we see are just replicating themselves,” said Salinas. “There are people who are part of the LGBTQ community who are seeking refuge in times of stress and anxiety especially when young children are targeted.”

Equality California’s mission is to strive to create a world that is healthy and equal for the LGBTQ Community. 

All of the programs that Equality California offers can be found at eqca.org. 

The bill has made it to the Senate Health Committee and will continue moving forward through the legislative process. The next step will be a Senate vote before moving to the state assembly and finally receiving governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.

Salinas suggests that other states should follow California’s bill to help support the LGBTQ community.

Community members can help support the bill by calling their elective officials to know that they support the bill. Residents can also help by voting, staying informed, and spreading valid information.