Gender Idenity and Expression Protected By New Senate Bill
http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=152996/16/11
By Dennis McMillan
On June 14, the California State Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 887) on a 3-2 vote. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center. If passed by the Assembly, 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.
"AB 887 protects all Californians. No matter your skin color, your age, where you come from or whether you're gay, straight, or transgender; we are all protected by the same rights," said Assemblymember Atkins. "We share equal protection in employment, housing, and education. This bill ensures that no one is left out."
AB 887 takes existing protections based on gender identity and expression and enumerates them as protected categories in nondiscrimination 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.
