SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Assembly passed a bill by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) that would ban state-funded travel to states that discriminate against LGBT individuals. Assembly Bill 1887 passed on a bi-partisan 54-21 vote.
“AB 1887 sends a clear message that we do not tolerate discrimination in California or anywhere beyond our borders,” Assemblymember Low said. “Just as we strive to be a state that provides equal opportunity for all, we should not be spending our tax dollars in states that allow discrimination toward the LGBT community. We are stronger by being inclusive,” he added.
The bill, sponsored by Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to fund travel to states like North Carolina and Mississippi and other states that enact laws that sanction or require discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
This morning, United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state of North Carolina for the implementation of House Bill 2 which targets transgender individuals. Numerous California leaders including California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Apple’s Tim Cook have voiced their opposition to these unjust, discriminatory laws.
“Californians have made it very clear that they support treating everyone equally,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “California should not be spending taxpayer dollars in states where lawmakers are targeting the LGBT community for discrimination. AB 1887 will help make sure that California is not helping to finance that discrimination.”
“We applaud the Assembly for its actions on AB 1887,” said Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “With the largest economy in the United States and the nation watching, it is imperative that California take a stand to prevent the use of taxpayer money to fund travel to states that actively promote and support discrimination against LGBT people and their families.”
