California Transgender Bills Signed Into Law By Governor Jerry Brown

California Governor Jerry Brown signed two transgender rights bills into law yesterday.

The first, Assembly Bill 433, the Vital Statistics Modernization Act, makes the process for Californians to obtain and update birth certificates easier.

The bill was authored by Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by the Transgender Law Center and Equality California, according to a press release from the Transgender Law Center.

The Vital Statistics Modernization Act streamlines the current process for trans people to receive a new birth certificate (or other identifying documentation) that reflects their current gender. Trans people must only provide medical documentation from an attending physician to prove that they have undergone "clinically apropriate treatment."

“The Vital Statistics Modernization Act eliminates outdated and onerous barriers that transgender people face when trying to update their IDs,” said Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center. “Having identity documents that match who we truly are is critical to our ability to work, travel, and thrive. We applaud Governor Brown and our lawmakers for prioritizing the health and safety of transgender Californians."

The other bill, Assembly Bill 887, also known as the Gender Nondiscrimination Act, bulks up employment, housing and other civil rights protections for all Californians, but especially for trans people. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California, Transgender Law Center and Gay-Straight Alliance Network.

The Transgender Law Center notes:

While California anti-discrimination laws already define “gender” to include a person’s gender identity and gender expression, the Gender Nondiscrimination Act provides clarity to those who are victims of unlawful discrimination as well as for business owners, employers and other entities required to comply with the anti-discrimination protections by explicitly enumerating gender identity and expression as protected categories in a number of state codes.

MetroWeekly reports that Brown also dealt with two other LGBT bills yesterday.

Brown signed Seth's Law, which according to Equality California, “will tighten anti-bullying policies in California schools by ensuring that all schools have clear and consistent policies, instituting better training and clearer guidelines for teachers and administrators, and establishing shorter timelines for investigating claims of bullying.”

Brown vetoed the Survey Data Inclusion Act, which required the state to include questions about LGBT identities, including sexual orientation and domestic partnership status among others, on state surveys.

According to Brown, this matter "is better handled" by the "rigorous and thoughtful process" that exists for making those determinations, rather than "the Legislature and Governor."

Comments

[anthonyhaas]

08:25 PM on 10/24/2011

times are a changing! Sex change

[ColleenHarper]

03:55 PM on 11/16/2011

Sorry to disillusion you but many transgender people never get the sex change surgery. It's prohibitively expensive.

[roguewrench01]

05:00 PM on 10/18/2011

Its nice to see the Trans Community is still alive and well ... Keep After It, Gyrls & Bois ! ... Freedom is just around the corner !

[Delphi Omally]

02:23 AM on 10/16/2011

http://wp.me/pnQPn-eB When in the course of human events...

[wayne the pain]

09:19 PM on 10/14/2011

Jerry Brown and California are leading America into the future. That future is equality for everyone. Brown a religious man who once studied for the priesthood will not allow religious zealots to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us who do not agree! Brown supports civil rights over religious dogma! He should have been elected president years ago, we would all be better off today. Thank goodness California had the wisdom to elect him governor for a second time!

[Ganji]

04:16 PM on 10/13/2011

I wonder about interpersonal relationships with the changing of ID and birth certificates to legally make them that gender. On another social site there is an intense debate because a trans person stated that a person has no right to know the gender history of a mate even when it comes to sex and long term dating. Of course a vast majority were angered by that(and this isn't a homophobia deal because women and gay commentators echoed the samething. i,e, they would not be happy with that) . Most of the answers I've seen from other trans-people were that they are not about that because of the inherent dangers but another poster listed cases from around the world where transgenders were prosecuted and jailed/fine for what they referred to as gender deception

[wvprogressive2011]

03:02 AM on 10/13/2011

As someone who is transgendered, all I can do is laugh at a lot of these comments. Simple people are good comedy.

[Clozure]

11:01 AM on 10/13/2011

Trans people enrich the world in ways unimaginable to the ignorant.

[r henry]

02:21 PM on 10/13/2011

Some of the kindest, gentlest people I've ever known are transgendered .You certainly have my support and my understanding! I've never been afraid to ask questions and I think I'm better for it!

[ColleenHarper]

04:02 PM on 11/16/2011

Thank you so much Love!

I've always been more than willing to Answer questions, no matter how personal, because I always assume that I am the first transgender person someone has met. And in doing so, I have won far more allies and avoided being assaulted.

I can't quite believe that it would work for every transperson, but it has worked for me.

[Androgyne]

01:10 AM on 10/13/2011

Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.

"Gender" refers to the "socially constructed" roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women, and therefore are naturally unrelated to biological sex.

"Gender Identity" represents a person’s core sense of being male, female, or within a continuum that exists between male and female.

Each person's self-defined "Gender Identity" is integral to their personality and is one of the most basic aspects of self-expression, dignity and freedom.

I consider myself Androgynous, both male and female at the same time.

I accept the fact that I am different, and consider myself blessed that I have Family, Friends and an Employeer that, may not agree with what I am, but, allow me to be me.

To achieve a solid self worth, there comes a time when it becomes necessary to be open about that self.

In order to feel good about myself, I need to claim the same freedom that most humans take for granted, - - " The Freedom to simply EXIST, as Myself, OPENLY ".

This above all; to thine own self be true.

[Delphi Omally]

01:43 AM on 10/13/2011

Couldn't have said it better myself...but I did try here http://wp.me/pnQPn-1l
In my 10k long essay "The State of the Transgender Union 2011, I did include "to thyself be true" because only by doing so have we lived a unique existence that is part of the whole. I write about the "sanctity" of difference....that nature declares this to be above intellect, beauty, any other attribute to be cherished at all costs.

[Clozure]

11:08 AM on 10/13/2011

You speak a universal truth.You don't know me, but I am a friend.

[Delphi Omally]

09:26 PM on 10/13/2011

Wow...let's see if I have this right....I don't know you (Clozure) but I do know you as a friend...as in personally? Hmmm....I have been rather open....I wonder if we coexisted together at a workplace?

[Delphi Omally]

09:50 AM on 10/14/2011

sorry, u were replying to someone else but thanx for ur advocacy and understanding...

[jennielake]

11:23 PM on 10/12/2011

Hi everyone - hugs

Although we all have the right to how we feel...

... my question is -

- is what You Think and Feel based on Humanity... or a Mental Program?

For those of you who are part of Humanity - Hugs

and

For those of you who are just Mental Programs - I hope you someday heal inside. You must hurt...
... and when You Hurt - you take it out on others. Please STOP!

hugs...

[Randi Grogan]

05:13 PM on 10/12/2011

Being one of those in the community, I'm very impressed that a Governor works with the Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Community. Finally a law that will make it easier to obtain a vital record. The Transgender Community is very large, surprisingly LARGE.

[TheEmptyMonty]

02:14 PM on 10/12/2011

Can I make a suggestion?

All of you who are apparently outraged that some people have a gender that doesn't match their biological sex, I have a great website for you: www.redstate.com

If you accept that these people deserve happiness and acceptance, then stick around here.

[ladyinwaiting68]

09:38 AM on 10/12/2011

What is the cost to you of another's decision to transition genders? Why do you even care? I assume that you are male from the tone of your comment. At what age did you decide to be male. Or were you simply born with that knowledge?

[Ozzy87]

11:03 AM on 10/12/2011

Quit playing with Mommy's computer! You know that's a no-no! Bad, bad tro\\!

[Delphi Omally]

02:27 AM on 10/12/2011

I am also sure it was not related to the questions the HR "consultant" asked me about what they should do about the gossip and distraction that was/would occur from my mere presence as I patrolled the hospital to keep them safe. And I am definitely sure it had absolutely nothing to do with J.W. assigning me to train on a graveyard shift...all alone...completely indefensible...with the now-proven-to-be transphobic female employee---despite my protest to HR that I not train with her. HR's suggestion "just keep it business". Right...."keep it business" with a transphobic dishonest employee. I am sure that after 3 days of being alone with her she would have had no additional phobic complaints....the imagination is the limit....policy or criminal...her options were wide open with no witnesses! When I refused to take the offer to quit in the face of overt discrimination or to place myself in an indefensible "pickle"...yes J.W. very clever indeed....the sky was the limit to her complaints...policy, civil, criminal?...her choice indeed! Or does phobia have shame?

[VagabondBull]

03:33 AM on 10/12/2011

I'm sorry you had to go through something like that but it just proves the point that equal rights protections for the transgendered community are sorely needed. I wish you could have transitioned at the hospital I worked at. My transition was much easier but I didn't interact too much with people outside my department.

There are several books out there on transitioning in the workplace for the person transitioning and things to provide to the employer. I'm amazed that the environment wasn't more accomodating for you. I hope you said or did something about this. It was wrong of them to put you in an environment where you were clearly at risk.

Hopefully you have found something better since that incident. It's because of the phobia and prejudice that so many transgendered persons are either under- or unemployed. Best of luck.

[Delphi Omally]

04:13 AM on 10/12/2011

Actually, I began transition at one hospital HPMC in Hollywood...got my gender marker changed while there. It went so well that I had my guard completely down after I applied at V V Comm Hosp. in Victorville, Ca. Since CA was one of the few states that actually had "gender" protections in place, I didn't expect completely the opposite reaction in another hospital in the same state! Although it began with a transphobic supervisor conjoined with a transphobic employee under pressure from other hospital staff, I fully expected the HR Dept. to stop this in its tracks! Instead, they became party # 3. Had I expected HR to do this, I NEVER would have attended the meeting requested by my supv alone! After this occurred I was completely unsuccessful in finding any allies legally or otherwise. My attempts were so futile that I lost 100% faith in any TG organizations. The consensus was that I handled it wrong even though I had run out of other options. So yes I TRIED to get something done but had to give up despite trying. No...haven't found anything better. This was so traumatizing that I sought the VA's help in getting back to work...which they...bless their heart....has responded. So stay tuned...

[Delphi Omally]

02:23 AM on 10/12/2011

In March 2010, for the first time in my life, I was terminated from employment. I am sure it had absolutely nothing to do with my gender transition. I am sure it had nothing to do with my ID stating "F" despite my temporary lull in transition in appearance. I am sure it had nothing to do with my security supervisor (J.W.) asking "are you wearing mmmmmakeup?" I am sure it had nothing to do with hospital staff calling J.W. to inquire about me with comments such as "we'll get through this" (which I overheard), clearly the horror of having to deal with a "freak" like me. I am sure it had nothing to do with J.W. morphing a non-complaint into a complaint so serious that it had to be discussed with HR. The "complaint"? A transphobic p/time fem employee befriended me to discuss all things about gender transition. I explained the process medically. She "complained" that I was seeing a doctor for hormones!!! I am sure it had nothing to do with J.W. and his sudden an immediate concern for "my safety" then extending that to "my coworker's safety" which he could have saved his breath and just labeled me "safety hazard". I am totally sure it had nothing to do with HR's probing questions about restroom use and conditionally attaching it to my privates (SRS inquiry).

[TheEmptyMonty]

02:15 PM on 10/12/2011

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hope you've found a more welcoming atmosphere now :)

[Delphi Omally]

02:52 AM on 10/13/2011

Experiences in life are for forming character. We can be told that the oven is hot but not until we touch it while it is hot will we actually cross the chasm between faith and knowledge. By faith I mean to trust rather than to know something. Only after I served as a military and civilian police officer did I know danger first hand. A military policeman is both a soldier and a police officer, so risks exist both in time of war and in time of peace. Indeed at Edwards AFB, where I concluded my military service as a Staff Sgt (I was only 23), on Jan 1998 during a traffic stop TSgt Butler was gunned down. As a civilian, CA freeways were much more intense than military bases and danger seemed even more so.

I state the above because despite my honorable service to country, state, and county, internally I had always wondered why I "wished" I had been born the opposite gender. Within free societies, there will always exist amongst us those who base opinions based on what they hear, on what they personally do not like, on what "everyone else is saying"..or the prevailing attitudes toward anything that exists outside of the "norm".

[Delphi Omally]

02:54 AM on 10/13/2011

As a transgender female, being hated for who I am is nothing new. Since the age of 18 when I commenced duties in the Air Force Security Police, I have known hatred toward "cops". At 24 as a civilian "cop", hate visited me up close and personal especially after every citation for vehicle code violations. This has uniquely qualified me to stand firm and never apologize for being transgender. Only after I discovered that gender transition was possible post-puberty did I realize that "wishing" I was female was anything but. Indeed I enlisted in the military to become "man tough", and yet in the middle of my enlistment, I knew that I was transgender. I simply refused to accept what I was seeing in the mirror...of course back then who knew that transition was possible.

The military is intended to make everyone...male and female...tough and this is as it should be. It will not correct gender dysphoria....I am proof of that. Law enforcement is comprised of both male and female officers. Female officers make excellent officers because they are much more effective in preventing escalations. I learned this when at HPMC (hospital), I successfully de-escalated 3 combative males because as a female security officer I could be "sweet" without appearing weak.

[Delphi Omally]

11:33 PM on 10/14/2011

Part I

So...in March 2010, I earned my TG "stripes", courtesy of http://vvchosp.com/ . As a Christian, I am reminded that at times "what man has meant for evil, God has meant for good". As I went from employee to ex-employee within two weeks, I knew that not by choice, I had been "drafted" as a conscript into the ranks of transgender activism. I had not chosen to be female-in-mind but I had chosen to do something about it to bring quality into my life. Many who choose to disparage us do so because they simply do not understand that the remedy for mind/body incongruency is not to ingest psychotic medicine to alter the mind but to ingest hormones to physically alter the body to match the mind. Testosterone is a very powerful "drug"...so powerful that it is regulated as a controlled substance unlike estrogen. It is painful to read and hear about "restroom" bills that aim to restrict gender-appropriate restroom access because the clear implication that "perverted men" seek female restroom access is so far removed from truth. Sex is a human need but testosterone, for me, made sex an obsession, although I refused to oblige the sex gods by not satisfying this need until the age of 24.

[WheresNixon]

01:57 AM on 10/12/2011

All of the (apparently) intoxicating, dramatic arousal makes this particular topic all the more distasteful! But, of course, everything today is a Greek drama... Live your life, this is no more or less interesting than the controversy surrounding the second amendment! Stop being a drama queen who expects a special class... Live your life and leave other people alone... When you get in a person's face, they will get back in yours... Choose the hill you will die on!!! Just about everyone on HP is full of Shi...!!!

[NumberVIII]

01:18 PM on 10/12/2011

I've noticed that almost everything you say can very easily be directed back at you. It seems you're projecting you're own insecurities on everyone else.

Whether you're trolling or serious I'm still not sure.

[r henry]

04:40 PM on 10/12/2011

Indeed you are full of it.

[thereisonlyoneparty]

01:34 AM on 10/12/2011

Sex is biology.

My birth certificate does not even mention "gender."   Nor does my passport or driver's license.

"Gender" has nothing to do with sex and "changing" gender has no effect on one's sex.  Body mutilation does not change one's genes.

Why do politicians and "activists" hate science so much?  What has it ever done to them?

[WheresNixon]

02:11 AM on 10/12/2011

"My birth certificat­e does not even mention "gender." Nor does my passport or driver's license"

Of course it does. That is a flat out lie!

[thereisonlyoneparty]

02:23 AM on 10/12/2011

False.

It refers to sex.  Biology.  Gender is a social role.  I do not even identify as being any gender (nor any race; I do not acknowledge them).

[VagabondBull]

02:25 AM on 10/12/2011

If you're going to start posting disparaging remarks like "mutilation" then I guess you need to go protest the American Society of Plastic Surgeons because by your definition they are mutilating hordes of people.

However the majority of the medical and scientific communities disagree with you, especially the American Medical Association. The transgender condition is accepted as a valid medical diagnosis and the recommended treatment is gender transition as set forth in the guidelines authored by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The AMA specifically names that organization as the gold standard for transgender guidelines.

Science agrees with us that transgenderism is a birth defect that needs to be corrected, I guess you need to find another fallacious statement to make that you think proves your point. Good day.