CALIFORNIA – The California State Assembly has passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 887) with bipartisan support by a 54-24 vote.
The bill is authored by Assemblywoman 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 grateful that my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me today in support of AB 887, the Gender Nondiscrimination Act,” said Atkins. “I am inspired by the devoted work of supporters of this bill – the many youth, transgender advocates, and others who have made their voices heard – and I will continue fighting for this important legislation to become law.”
AB 887 takes existing protections based on gender identity and expression and enumerates them as protected categories in non-discrimination laws. In addition, while California non-discrimination laws already define “gender” to include a person’s gender identity and gender expression, the bill clarifies that gender identity and expression are included in the definition of gender and sex in all California codes.
“The rights of all hardworking Californians, including transgender people, must be protected by our state’s laws,” said Equality California Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll. “The Gender Nondiscrimination Act will reduce the harms caused by discrimination by inserting language into state law that is direct and easily understood. We now ask the State Senate to join in support of this critical piece of legislation.”
The bill will now move to the State Senate.
