California will not be paying its state workers to travel to states that are known to discriminate against LGBTQ people. This includes Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee. This week, Governor Jerry Brown has made it against the law to pay state workers to travel to such states.
Law AB 1887
This law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D), prohibits the state legislature and the state agencies from mandatorily making its employees travel to states that have participated in anti-LGBTQ legislation. The state of California will also not be paying for any such travel.Similar restrictions have been made by a number of other mayors and governors, however, California is the first to pass a standing law.
No specific states are mentioned in the AB 1887 law, but explains the detailsof whether or not a state is discriminatory. State workers will not be paid to travel to anystate that has voided any state or local protection for LGBTQ people. And any state that has passed laws that explicitlydiscriminate against LGBTQ people will be forbidden.
North Carolina's HB2 law
This means that the state of North Carolina is, without question, off limits. In March of 2016, North Carolina passed the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, though it is more commonly referred to as House Bill 2 or simply HB2. This law was recognized by many opponents as the most discriminatory legislation for LGBTQ people in the United States.
It asks for a removal of local LGBTQ protections and specifically targets transgender people.
A number of businesses, organizations, and corporations have already decided that they will not do business with the state, in reaction to the HB2 law.
đ· Hillary Clinton Blasts North Carolinaâs âMean-Spiritedâ Anti-LGBT Law Clinton called North Carolina... https://t.co/7KGJVl9P64
â huffpostqueer (@huffpostqueer) September 29, 2016
California's history with LGBTQ
The state of California is often regarded as one of the most liberal and progressive states in America.
It was announced earlier this summer that California will be the first state in the country to introduce LGBTQ history into its public schools andcurriculum. Children as young as those who are in the second grade will be educated on the LGBTQ movement in American history and social studies.