EQCA - Equality California

07/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2024 16:15

Equality California on Governor Newsom Signing the SAFETY Act Into Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL:[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to Governor Gavin Newsom signing AB 1955, the SAFETY Act, into law:

"We are grateful to Governor Newsom for demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by signing the SAFETY Act into law. Over the past year, more than a dozen extremist school boards across California have considered or passed these harmful policies that openly discriminate against transgender students and prevent them from safely being themselves at school. The SAFETY Act could not be more timely or necessary, and LGBTQ+ students across California can breathe a sigh of relief following today's action by the Governor.

LGBTQ+ youth across California can now have these important family conversations when they are ready and in ways that strengthen the relationship between parent and child, not as a result of extremist politicians intruding into the parent-child relationship.

This critical legislation strengthens protections for LGBTQ+ youth against forced outing policies, provides resources for parents and families of LGBTQ+ students to support them as they have conversations on their terms, and creates critical safeguards to prevent retaliation against teachers and school staff who foster a safe and supportive school environment for all students.

We are grateful for the leadership of Assemblymember Chris Ward and the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus for spearheading this legislation, and to the diverse coalition of local, state, and national partners that supported this effort.

Equality California remains committed to addressing the rise of LGBTQ+ attacks across school boards in California and is ready to fight back against anyone that stands in the way of the safety of LGBTQ+ youth and their families."

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Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org