In a very stunning and pleasant surprise, Friday evening California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 957, which would have required judges in California to consider a parent’s affirmation of their child’s gender identity in custody disputes.
Newsom’s veto message:
“I appreciate the passion and values that led the author to introduce this bill.. I urge caution when the executive & legislative branches attempt to dictate legal standards for judicial branch to apply.” pic.twitter.com/FT2RSpVLUp
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) September 23, 2023
Newsom’s veto is a huge win for parental rights and a shocking rebuke for the Democrat-controlled Assembly and Senate. However, this is not the end for AB957, as both chambers have a Democratic super-majority that could override Newsom’s veto.
Everyone in California expected Newsom to sign the bill, especially since the overwhelming majority of Democrats either voted for the bill or did not vote to save face in front of their constituents.
Assembly agreed to some state procedural Senate amendments, meaning that the measure has officially passed and will now be headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
The divisive governor, who has made gender identity and a war on parents key parts of his platform, is almost certain to sign it. The only thing that might give him pause is that this law may not play so favorably to the rest of the country as it does to many of the extremists in the Golden State. This could potentially complicate any presidential ambitions Hair Gel may have down the road.
California Democrats shocked the state when both chambers passed the bill, causing massive outrage among parents all over the state. To say that opponents of the bill were speechless is an understatement.
The bill, titled the “Family law: gender identity” bill, passed California’s State Assembly on May 3, but radical state Senator Scott Wiener (D-SF) added an amendment on June 6 that would change the state’s standard of the well-being of a minor to “include a parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child.”
Now that it’s passed the Senate, the Assembly will need to agree to amendments the Senate attached, which the heavily Democratic legislative body assuredly will. Then it heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, where he will almost certainly sign it since he’s emphasized polarizing gender politics during his tenure as the state’s top leader.
The bill could potentially make you guilty of child abuse if you refuse to call your son “Jane” and buy him dresses. Authorities could take your kid away if you don’t bend the knee:
Given Newsom’s undeniable national political aspirations, though, it’s understandable that he’d want to walk away from bills that Dems in other states might find extreme.
RedState covered this bill extensively as it has made its way through both chambers of the state Capital:
The outrage on social media was immense and X, formerly Twitter, was a sea of anger and surprise at the bill’s passage. The overall consensus that laws like this are crimes against humanity.
We don’t know who needs to hear this but convincing children to mutilate and sterilize themselves in the name of gender ideology is evil personified.
No child is born in the wrong body – stop making trans kids a thing.
No wonder parents are beyond pissed. pic.twitter.com/gBIOQVV2cn
— Gays Against Groomers California (@GAG_California) September 22, 2023
Hopefully, the veto will stand and the bill officially goes the way of the Dodo, but we have one major hurdle to pass before that happens. Now we wait and see if the Democrats decide to honor the wishes and views of the Governor, or if they decide to override the veto and strip away parental rights in the state.
