UPDATE
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has surprisingly vetoed a bill that would have required judges to consider a parent’s affirmation of a child’s gender identity in child custody cases. The Democrat dominated California State Assembly passed a law that was poised to effectively remove gender-confused children from parents who don’t support their transition in child-custody cases.
The law specifically required Family Court judges in child custody hearings to consider whether or not parents affirm or support a child’s desire to change their gender. While the final decision would be up to those judges, parents organisations are convinced those who didn’t affirm their child’s gender identity and treatment would lose access to their children.
Lawmakers said affirmation would vary, depending on a child’s age and circumstances. However, the term wasn’t specifically defined, raising concerns over its interpretation.
State Senator Kelly Seyarto argued lawmakers were interfering too much with how parents choose to raise their children. “Inserting this into the mix is going to pit one parent against the other and make things worse,” he said
Multi-billionaire Elon Musk has bought into the debate. He called the law “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and “utter madness.” He said any parent who disagreed with the other about sterilising their child, would lose custody.
19-year-old detransitioner Chloe Cole who testified to the US Congress about the dangers of gender-altering treatments and surgeries on minors, said: “This issue is wildly unpopular yet the ‘Cali Gov‘ pushes forward with more and more radical policies.”
Tony Kinnett, an investigative columnist at The Daily Signal, wrote: “Affirm your child’s mental illness or we’ll rip them from your home is a horrifically evil threat and it’s about to become the law in California.”
Governor Newsom who is one of the most liberal Democrat state leaders in the country seemed to be swayed by some of those arguments. He said: “Other-minded elected officials, in California and other states, could very well use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities.” He noted that existing laws already require courts to consider a child’s health, safety and welfare, including the parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity.
It is also being reported that Gavin Newsom may be preparing to run for the White House, especially if President Joe Biden’s health becomes a major concern for the Democrats.
CBN News reports many critics labeled California, “America’s most anti-parent state.”