By Ogie Strogatz, Committee Member, and Missy Maceyko, Co-chair, AAUW California Public Policy Committee

“AAUW advocates freedom in definition of self and family, including protection from discrimination and a guarantee of civil rights for all family structures, and vigorous enforcement of and full access to civil and constitutional rights.” (AAUW: Where We Stand: LGBTQ+ Rights)

Although advocacy is neverending work, and while it may seem like we are moving in the wrong direction at the federal level, we are fortunate to live in a state that leads by example in the breadth and depth of its fight for LGBTQ+ rights–which are in alignment with AAUW’s positions. California has continued to aggressively defend LGBTQ+ rights by passing shield laws, expanding healthcare access, protecting privacy, and enshrining fundamental protections in the state constitution. By pushing back against federal rollbacks, California has actively combatted discrimination, creating new legal safeguards, more proactive state agencies, and increasingly inclusive public education mandates.  Among our initiatives:

• AAUW California has prioritized Assembly Bill 1876 (“Health Care Coverage: Non-discrimination”) among its top three bills in the current legislative session in Sacramento. The bill explicitly prohibits a health plan or a health insurance provider from denying coverage, benefits, or limiting healthcare services to a person based on their race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AB 1876 has been approved by the Assembly and moves to the Senate for review and approval.
• AAUW California has identified Senate Bill 934 (“Sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts: actions for recovery of damages: statute of limitations”) among its priorities in the current session. SB 934 allows survivors of conversion therapy to seek civil remedies and justice through malpractice lawsuits for the harm that was done to them, even years after the fake therapy occurred. SB 934 has been approved by the Senate and moves to the Assembly for review and approval.

For opportunities to learn more and take action to support the LGBTQ+ community, generally, and the transgender community, specifically, please see “Three Steps to Take Action in June.”