California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of six bills aimed at strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in the state, citing recent federal actions as a threat to these communities. The legislation, enacted on Saturday, includes measures to provide support for service members discharged under policies implemented during the Trump administration that barred transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military.
Assembly Bill 1775, authored by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward (D-San Diego), offers housing, employment, and other assistance to those veterans who were forcibly removed from service due to their gender identity. Ward expressed gratitude toward Newsom for endorsing the bill and emphasized California’s commitment to these veterans.
Additional bills signed by Newsom focus on enhancing privacy protections for LGBTQ+ residents. These laws limit the dissemination of information related to sexual orientation and gender identity and require healthcare providers to notify the California attorney general upon receiving subpoenas concerning protected healthcare activities. Another law expands access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), drugs used to prevent HIV infection.
Newsom’s office condemned what it described as an “all-out assault” on the LGBTQ community by the Trump administration, particularly criticizing the targeting of service members through medical records. The governor’s statement affirmed California’s refusal to tolerate actions that undermine trust and harm LGBTQ+ people.
These bills were priorities of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, which has continued to push for legislative advances since Newsom took office in 2019. The governor’s office highlighted that the 2023 state budget allocated $66 million to improve access to gender-affirming care and abortion services.
State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), chair-elect of the LGBTQ Caucus, acknowledged the legislative progress and thanked Newsom for signing the bills. She framed the measures as steps toward creating a California where LGBTQ+ individuals and their families can experience greater safety, opportunity, and dignity through collaborative efforts.