If parents in California don’t support the decision of their children to undergo gender transitioning and sterilization, they could soon lose custody of their kids, a new state policy that could lead to the exodus of many conservative families from the Golden State.
Assembly Bill 957, The TGI (Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Intersex) Youth Empowerment Act passed the California legislative Assembly on Friday and is now in front of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign it.
According to the act, affirming a child’s chosen gender is in the best interest of the child.
The bill passed along exact party lines, with all Republicans voting against it, and Democrats voting in favor of state taking authority away from parents.”
“AB 957 empowers parents who support their TGI children by clarifying once and for all that affirming a child’s gender identity is in the best interest of the child, allowing courts to consider a parent’s affirmation of their child’s gender identity when making decisions about visitation and custody. The bill will also require courts to strongly consider that affirming a child’s gender identity is in the best interest of the child when one parent does not consent to a minor’s legal name change to conform with the minor’s gender identity. AB 957 will provide affirming parents the support they need when encountering civil procedures in court that pertain to affirming and uplifting the lives of their TGI children,” the bill summary reads.
The bill requires judges in custody cases to take into consideration whether parents are supportive of their children’s gender decisions and transitioning/sterilization procedures.
“This bill, for purposes of this provision, would include a parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child,” the legislation says. The legislation also says the parents must accept the child’s new chosen name.
The bill lays out how broad the parameters are for what is considered acceptable for parents when it comes to affirming the gender transition choices of their children: “Affirmation includes a range of actions and will be unique for each child, but in every case must promote the child’s overall health and well-being.”
Newsom last year signed into law a bill designed to make California a sanctuary that shields parents who travel from other states to access sterilization for their children, and also legally shields doctors who provide these profitable services.
