Equality California

California has enacted new laws effective in the new fiscal year, including requirements for all-gender restrooms in schools, smartphone use restrictions in schools, and printing the Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ suicide hotline on student IDs. Additional measures aim to protect the privacy of transgender individuals by limiting public access to name and gender change petitions.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that California can maintain its policy allowing transgender student athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports teams. The decision permits but does not require states to restrict transgender athletes from these teams, upholding state laws in Idaho and West Virginia. LGBTQ advocates praised the ruling for protecting inclusive policies, while opponents argued it fails to safeguard girls’ sports opportunities.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may ban transgender student athletes from girls’ and women’s teams but are not required to, allowing California to maintain its policy of inclusion. LGBTQ advocacy groups like Equality California praised the decision for preserving inclusive policies, while opponents, including school board member Sonja Shaw, argued it protects girls' sports. The 6-3 decision upholds state laws in Idaho and West Virginia but does not mandate such bans.

California’s governor’s race is heading to a key primary election with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton leading in polls. The jungle primary system will allow the top two finishers to advance to the general election regardless of party. Eric Swalwell dropped out after sexual assault allegations, shifting support to Becerra.