San
Francisco — On January 1, 2006 two new laws
solidified California’s leadership role as the most
protective state for transgender rights in the nation.
The laws, sponsored by Equality California (EQCA)
<http://www.eqca.org/>,
were AB 1400 (the Civil Rights Act of 2005) and AB 1586
(the Insurance Gender Non-Discrimination Act). AB 1400,
authored by Santa Cruz Assemblyman John Laird, amended
California’s public accommodation law to make clear
that transgender people are protected. AB 1586, authored
by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, prohibits discrimination
against transgender people by the insurance industry,
including healthcare insurers.
“By protecting
transgender people and our families in education,
employment, housing, foster care, insurance, and public
accommodation, the legislature is saying very clearly
that California supports diversity and inclusion,”
said Danny Kirchoff, EQCA’s Transgender Equality
California Project Manager. “Across the state,
employers, schools, businesses, and government agencies
are taking common-sense steps to create
non-discriminatory environments.”
After decades in which
transgender people had little protection against even the
most flagrant acts of discrimination, these laws
establish that California embraces transgender people
equally and provides effective remedies for
discrimination. A 2003 report released by the
Transgender Law Center (TLC) <http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org>
and the National Center for Lesbian Rights
<http://www.nclrights.org/>,
Trans Realities, documented the high rates of
discrimination experienced by transgender people. Survey
respondents reported discrimination in employment (49%),
public accommodation (38%), housing (32%), and health
care (31%).
“Even today,
transgender people face discrimination in virtually every
institution in the state, but these laws provide
incredibly powerful tools for creating lasting social
change,” said Christopher Daley, Director of TLC.
“While it will take some time for the effects of
these laws to be fully felt in individuals’ lives,
California’s elected officials are to be commended
for once again leading the nation on fairness and
equality.”
Equality California
(EQCA) is California’s LGBT civil rights and
advocacy organization. Equality California leads efforts
for LGBT civil rights at the state level through an array
of strategies including sponsoring legislation and
leading efforts to ensure their passage, lobbying
legislators and other government officials, building
coalitions, and empowering other organizations and
individuals to engage in the political process.
The Transgender Law
Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization
advocating for California’s transgender communities.
TLC utilizes direct legal services, community organizing,
media and public policy advocacy, and educational
opportunities to advance the rights and safety of diverse
transgender communities.
