In 2016, North Carolina banned transgender individuals from using the bathroom that reflects their gender identity in public buildings. California responded by banning state-funded travel to North Carolina and other states with discriminatory laws against LGBTQ people.
Seven years later, California bans state-funded travel in nearly half the country. This is due to anti-LGBTQ legislation that was overwhelmingly Republican-led.
Public colleges and universities are now required to find alternative ways to pay for games in Arizona and Utah. It has also complicated some state policy goals like using state funds to pay for Californians who live in other states for abortions.
Toni Atkins, the state senator leader, announced Wednesday that she would amend the ban to replace it with an advertisement campaign that promotes acceptance of the LGBTQ community in the states. The bill would establish a fund to finance the campaign. It would accept both private donations and state funding, if available.
Atkins, a lesbian, stated that polarization does not work. We need to change our strategy. “We know what we need, but we must be able and willing to do it.
It could prove difficult to repeal the ban in California, where 10% are now LGBTQ. Evan Low, a Democrat representing Campbell, said he supports the campaign, but that he believes the state-funded ban on travel from California should be lifted.
Low, who is gay, stated that “we can’t back down” especially with the record number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws being introduced.
Since 2017, California’s travel ban is in effect. Since 2017, California’s travel ban has been in effect.
The ban today includes 23 States: Alabama, Arizona Arkansas, Florida Georgia, Idaho and Indiana.
This law applies to all state agencies, boards, boards, authorities, and commissions, including schools that are part of both the University of California or the California State University system.
This means that schools such as the University of California at Berkeley can’t use state funds to send their football teams away to Arizona or Utah. Schools it plays against must be in the same athletic conference.
The Final Four will be played in Houston by the San Diego State University men’s basketball team. This state is not on the no-travellist. Because the NCAA and not California taxpayers are paying the travel costs, the NCAA was able to get around the ban. However, the ban doesn’t mean that the school cannot schedule football games against Texas-based teams, according to Jamie McConeghy (senior associate athletic director of communications, media relations, San Diego State).
There are a few exceptions to the law, such as travel required to enforce California laws, fulfill contractual obligations, or obtain grant funding. It allows for travel to protect health and safety. A state-funded security detail could also travel with the governor. Gavin Newsom and his family went on vacation to Montana last summer.
It has also complicated some of the Democrats’ policy goals in unexpected ways. California spent $20 million last year to assist women from other states who wanted to have abortions. This was in response to Roe v. Wade being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Atkins stated that while we could help someone travel to California or fly to California, if they needed to return to Texas or Florida, or any other state, we couldn’t legally spend money to send them back home. It gets complicated.”
Atkins stated that she will introduce the legislation Thursday. It must be approved by both the state Senate, and the state Assembly before it can become law. This process will take many months.
Assemblymember Greg Wallis from Bermuda Dunes said, “When you disagree, you should open your eyes to change their hearts and minds.” “I am glad California is moving towards that approach.”
Marc Stein, a San Francisco State University history professor who is gay, says he would like to hear from LGBTQ communities before deciding whether or not he supports lifting travel bans.
Stein stated that he would love to see an exception for social justice research. He said that he was having trouble booking a North Carolina trip shortly after California’s travel ban went into effect. This was so he could investigate the case of a transgender women who had been arrested in 1960s for sodomy.
Stein stated that the university was able to finance his research but acknowledged that there is still a barrier for other researchers, especially students pursuing advanced degrees.
He said, “I believe Ph.D. students from California are being discouraged to pursue research projects that would require extensive travels to the list states which now nearly half of the country.”
