California Bill Would Add Gender Considerations to Custody Cases

A bill currently working through the California legislature would include “parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity” as part of the “health, safety, and welfare of the child” standards in custody disputes.

Details: The bill, AB-957, would change the California Family Code methodology for settling parental custody disputes and making a “determination of the best interests of the child in a proceeding.” Under the code, the determining factors for the best interests of the child are “health, safety, and welfare.” Under the proposed bill, “parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity” would fall under these determining factors. 

Key Quotes: “This particular bill adds the very important factor that affirming a child’s gender identity is in their best interest,” said Democratic Assemblymember Lori Wilson, who proposed the bill, adding, “by saying and rejecting it in wholesale, then you’re essentially rejecting your child, and that is not in the best interest of the child.” The proposed bill is facing backlash from right-rated voices. The National Review (Right bias) Editorial Board said the bill is part of a larger movement where “activist-minded judges are penalizing parents who don’t accept the claims of trans activists,” adding, “the global credibility of the ‘gender-affirming’ model is crumbling. On trans issues, California is losing its collective mind.”

How The Media Covered It: The proposed bill is garnering significant coverage and backlash from right-rated voices. Apart from a local CBS affiliate station covering backlash to the bill, AllSides was unable to find any coverage from left-rated sources.