After witnessing Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming enact legislation that restricted transgender students from participating in school sports according to their gender identity, California decided to expand its travel ban to these three states. California Attorney General Rob Bonta made the announcement on Friday, declaring that state-funded travel to these locations will now be restricted.
The travel ban is in response to recent legislation passed in the aforementioned states and is mandated by California Assembly Bill 1887. This bill obliges the attorney general to keep the website updated with the current list of states subject to the travel ban.
Bonta, according to a press release published by his general’s office, said legislation targeting the transgender community is part of a “concerning trend of discriminatory practices in states across the country, aiming to roll back hard-won protections. Such laws “specifically target and marginalize transgender youth by preventing them from participating in sports in accordance with their gender identity, as well as restricting access to critical gender-affirming healthcare services.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta addresses the newly passed legislation a “concerning trend of discriminatory practices in states across the country, aiming to roll back hard-won protections.”AP
Bonta added how he believes that the laws in Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming are not only discriminatory but also constitute a clear case of government overreach.
Austin Killips strongly criticizes a group he refers to as ‘cabal of right wingers’ for their stance on cycling’s transgender ban. Last month, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who identifies as a Republican, signed two bills into law that prohibit transgender surgeries and puberty blockers for minors. Additionally, the bills restrict athletes’ participation in sports to teams aligned with their biological sex.
Governor Parson expressed his support for this legislation as a stand against what he views as ‘nonsense’ and stands in solidarity with women and girls who have fought for equal opportunities in sports.
The new law in Missouri will take effect on August 28, preventing healthcare providers from prescribing sex change surgeries for teens and children. However, transgender surgeries and hormone treatment will still be available for most adults under this law, though not covered by Medicaid.
This recent development adds Missouri to the list of nineteen states that have implemented laws limiting or prohibiting gender surgeries for minors.
Meanwhile, federal judges have intervened in Alabama and Arkansas, blocking the enforcement of similar laws. Oklahoma has also agreed to hold off on implementing its ban while opponents seek a temporary court order to halt its enforcement.
