Avast, me hearties! Newsom be vetoing a bill that'd make parents swear by their offspring's gender in custody quarrels.
2023-09-23
Arrr, me hearties! Californian Governor Gavin Newsom cast aside a bill that'd make judges ponder on a parent's support for their wee one's chosen gender during child custody battles. Shiver me timbers, let the squabbles continue!
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that would have required judges in child custody cases to consider whether a parent has affirmed their child's gender identity. The bill, known as AB 957, proposed that courts must consider a parent's affirmation of their child's gender identity when determining custody. However, Newsom stated that he cannot sign the legislation, expressing caution about the Executive and Legislative branches of government dictating legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply. He also mentioned that existing law already requires courts to consider a child's health, safety, and welfare when deciding custody.The bill had been passed by the state assembly and was sent to the governor's desk for his signature. Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, who coauthored the bill, expressed disappointment with Newsom's veto, stating that she disagreed with him on the best way to protect transgender children. Wilson's intention with the bill was to give trans children a voice in the family court system. She believes that a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of a child. State Senator Scott Wiener, another coauthor of the bill, called Newsom's veto a tragedy for trans kids and criticized the "level of right-wing misinformation" about the bill.
The bill aimed to ensure that courts consider a child's gender identity and the parents' supportiveness in custody disputes. Wilson argued that parents have always affirmed their children, but it becomes more crucial when a child's gender identity does not match their biological gender. She believed that the bill would provide affirming parents with the support they need to love and affirm their diverse transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex children. Despite the veto, Wilson and Wiener remain determined to continue fighting for the rights and well-being of trans kids.