THE WASHINGTON STAND/ Marjorie Jackson-
“It’s time for the adults in the room to stand up. It’s time for every adult across the country to stand up on both sides of the aisle.”
State Rep. Scott Wiener’s (D) SB 107 — a bill proposing to make California a “refuge” state for performing transgender surgeries on minors — successfully made its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) desk and received his signature Thursday. Now signed into law, California doctors can perform gender transition procedures (such as surgeries and hormone therapy) on children, even those traveling from states who have prohibited such actions on minors.
“In California we believe in equality and acceptance,” Newsom addressed the state senate in an official letter. “We believe that no one should be prosecuted or persecuted for getting the care they need — including gender-affirming care. Parents know what’s best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear.” According to the governor, he is signing this bill to counteract the state laws across the country that “demonize transgender … youth” and is working to make his state one where those procedures can be obtained freely.
The implications of this new law transcend California and reach nationally, according to many critics who fear that the state’s new law poses a threat, rather than a service, to children and parents across America.
“Governor Newsom gaslights us all by claiming this bill protects parental rights. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Family Research Council’s Meg Kilgannon told The Washington Stand. “California is essentially attempting to dictate parental rights for the other 49 states. The idea that a state, a state agency, [or] a child welfare system can be a sanctuary for children who disagree with their parents is a significant departure from the reality of the family.”
Despite other states passing laws banning or restricting transgender procedures on minors, SB 107 now opens California up as a “refuge.” This means that, should someone find themselves in legal trouble for assisting a minor in receiving transgender procedures, subpoenas will not be enforced, medical data will not be released, and “the lowest law enforcement priority” will be given to any arrest warrants coming from over state lines. Continue reading…
