Newsom signs trio of bills on LGBTQ youth after controversial veto

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a trio of bills supporting LGBTQ youth one day after vetoing a bill that would have required judges to consider whether parents have affirmed the gender identity of their children amid custody disputes.

He signed three pieces of legislation that would support protections for LGBTQ residents in California, including setting implementation timelines for LGBTQ cultural competency training by public school staff and teachers, establishing a task force to identify needs for LGBTQ students and requiring courts to keep confidential any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier.

“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,” he added.

State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D), chairwoman of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, also applauded the signings in a statement issued by Newsom’s office.

“This year the LGBTQ Caucus took up the important work of protecting our communities in the face of vile anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, discriminatory laws across the country, and hatred to face if we fail to act,” she said.

Newsom vetoed a bill Saturday that would have allowed courts to consider each parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity when making decisions about custody and visitation.

Newsom said he couldn’t support the bill because of its efforts to change legal standards for another branch of government.

“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,” Newsom wrote in his veto letter. 

California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D) said Newsom’s decision was a “tragedy for trans kids.” 

“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,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “CA needs to unequivocally stand with these kids.”