Bill Expands Transgender Anti-Discrimination Laws to Include Sports

image
Author: Blake Bunch
Published: 15 May, 2013
Updated: 14 Oct, 2022
2 min read
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Assembly approves bill that expands rights to transgendered student athletes

A recent piece of legislation in California would allow transgendered student athletes to use restrooms of their gender identity and not their biological sex. Assembly Bill 1266, authored by Assemblyman Tony Ammiano (D-San Francisco), passed the state Assembly, 45-24..

Ammiano claims the bill stems from legislation that protects transgendered individuals from discrimination, like fair housing laws for tenants. Citing the case of Erik Erlick, a transgendered student in Mendocino County, who was prohibited from participating in a girls' gym class, he believes the testimony of Erlick's parents provide a crucial background to an under looked form of discrimination.

"This shows the nobility of what a legislature can do. Making this gender identity requirement clear will help parents and students understand their rights while also helping schools comply with the law, reducing conflict and the potential for litigation, while protecting students' health and well-being," said Ammiano on the Assembly floor.

While the bill did not hinder the legislative process, not a single Assembly Republican voted on AB 1266. A majority of Republicans oppose the bill, but instead of casting a vote to express their opposition, they abstained. The bill has also received opposition from religious groups.

"Our Legislature tends to get involved in things that are better handled in local school districts," said Carol Hogan, a spokeswoman for the California Catholic Conference.

According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, these students are protected by Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex:

"Bullying, harassment, or discrimination against transgender or gender nonconforming students is covered by Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools. This resource outlines the rights trans and gender nonconforming students have in schools and how to file formal complaints."

Current California law explicitly specifies anti-discrimination regulations for transgender and/or "gender non-conforming" students through the California Student and Violence Prevention Act of 2000. This act ensures that transgendered students are safeguarded from being expelled from school, kicked out of the classroom, held after school, or being treated in any different manner because of their gender association.

These students are further given rights regarding their choice of names/pronouns while at school, their choice of restrooms, and their choice of attire.

IVP Donate

Since AB 1266 passed with a wide margin, it seems likely the bill will pass the Senate as well. With the other aforementioned regulations already in place for these students, California seems to be making strides for the LGBT community.

Latest articles

CA capitol building dome with flags.
Why is CA Senator Mike McGuire Trying to Kill the Legal Cannabis Industry?
California’s legal cannabis industry is under mounting pressure, and in early June, state lawmakers and the governor appeared poised to help. A bill to freeze the state’s cannabis excise tax at 15% sailed through the State Assembly with a unanimous 74-0 vote. The governor’s office backed the plan. And legal cannabis businesses, still struggling to compete with unregulated sellers and mounting operating costs, saw a glimmer of hope....
03 Jul, 2025
-
7 min read
I voted buttons
After First RCV Election, Charlottesville Voters Back the Reform: 'They Get It, They Like It, They Want to Do It Again'
A new survey out of Charlottesville, Virginia, shows overwhelming support for ranked choice voting (RCV) following the city’s first use of the system in its June Democratic primary for City Council. Conducted one week after the election, the results found that nearly 90% of respondents support continued use of RCV....
03 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Crowd in Time Square.
NYC Exit Survey: 96% of Voters Understood Their Ranked Choice Ballots
An exit poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the nonprofit better elections group FairVote finds that ranked choice voting (RCV) continues to be supported by a vast majority of voters who find it simple, fair, and easy to use. The findings come in the wake of the city’s third use of RCV in its June 2025 primary elections....
01 Jul, 2025
-
6 min read