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CA Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes Bill Strengthening Employment, Housing, and other Nondiscrimination Laws

Melanie Nathan , May 04, 2011

AB 887, authored by Assemblymember Atkins and sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center, would strengthen protections based on gender identity and gender expression

Sacramento – The Assembly Appropriations Committee today passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 877) by a 12-5 vote. The bill is authored by Assembly member Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and is sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center. AB 887 will strengthen employment, housing, and other civil rights protections for all Californians, especially those who face discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

“I am very pleased that the Gender Nondiscrimination Act advanced today,” said Assemblymember Atkins. “I believe that the devoted advocacy by members of the transgender community this week set the stage for passage of this important bill, and I am proud to promote this major step toward ensuring equal protection under the law for all Californians.”

AB 887 takes existing protections based on gender identity and expression and enumerates them as protected categories in non-discrimination laws. In addition, the bill clarifies that gender identity and expression are included in the definition of gender and sex in all California codes.

“No one should ever fear being fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance,” said Equality California Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll. “By strengthening our state’s nondiscrimination laws, AB 887 will ensure that all hard working Californians, including transgender people, are protected equally by employment and housing laws. We thank Assemblymember Atkins and allied Assembly members for championing this bill. We believe the Senate will follow suit.”

California non-discrimination laws already define “gender” to include a person’s gender identity and gender expression. AB 887 specifically enumerates gender identity and gender expression in order to simplify compliance with existing legal protections.

“We are thrilled to see the Gender Nondiscrimination Act pass the Appropriations Committee,” said Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center. “Supporting ourselves through our own hard work is a not just a necessity, it’s a matter of dignity and self-respect. An end to discrimination in the workplace will transform the lives of struggling families throughout California.”

In 2009, the Transgender Law Center released its “State of Transgender California” report. The report revealed overwhelmingly that Californians who experience discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression at work or elsewhere often times do not file complaints because they are unaware that they are protected as a result of confusing non-discrimination laws.

More than 100 cities across America and hundreds of employers already provide clear non-discrimination protections based on gender identity and gender expression. Cities that list them as separate protected categories in non-discrimination ordinances include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Oakland and West Hollywood.

The bill will now head to the Assembly floor.

The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed more than 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
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