California: Gavin Newsom Approves Bills To Protect LGBTQ After Controversial Veto

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several more bills last Sunday, protecting the rights of Golden State's LGBTQ+ people. These signings come after he received backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates for also vetoing a bill that would have further protected the rights of LGBTQ+ youth.

The first law requires cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff. Another law, meanwhile, creates an advisory task force that will determine the needs of LGBTQ+ students and will aim to help advance supportive initiatives.

A third law also requires families to show that they can and are willing to meet the needs of a child in foster care. This is regardless of the child's sexual orientation or gender identity. He also signed another bill that requires schools from the first to twelfth grade should have at least one gender-neutral bathroom available for California students. This must happen by 2026, according to KTLA-5.

"California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we're committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians," said Newsom in a statement, adding that the measures he signed will "help protect vulnerable youth, promote acceptance, and create more supportive environments in our schools and communities."

Gavin Newsom's Veto on a California LGBTQ+ Bill Receives Much Backlash

Recently, Newsom received backlash from pro-LGBTQ+ advocates for a veto on a bill that would have required judges to consider whether a parent affirms their child's gender identity when deciding on custody and visitation rights.

One of the people who criticized the veto was fellow Democrat, Assemblymember Lori Wilson. She wrote the bill after her adult son came out as transgender. She released a statement slamming Newsom, saying that she was disheartened by the veto. She stated, "My intent with this bill was to give them a voice, particularly in the family court system where a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of a child."

The governor defended his decision and said that there are already laws that require courts to consider health, safety, and welfare when determining the best interests of a child in custody cases. These considerations already cover a child's gender identity.

According to Politico, by signing the bill, Newsom stated that it would have allowed the government "to dictate - in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic - legal standards."

California Governor Gavin Newsom Also Vetoes State Ban on Driverless Trucks

Gavin Newsom also vetoed a law that would have banned self-driving trucks. According to WIRED, these trucks do not have humans aboard and the bill would not have allowed them on state roads.

The bill was advocated by truck driver unions but was opposed by companies that are developing the technology. These companies argued that these driverless trucks eliminate the "dangers of distracted human driving, which could bring down insurance costs."

However, the Teamsters union, which represents tens of thousands of US truck drivers, mechanics, and other freight workers, argued that a safety driver should be required on these self-driving trucks, especially ones weighing over 10,000 pounds.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes 2 major bills - KCRA 3