Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend nixed three pieces of legislation aimed at addressing health concerns facing LGBTQ+ individuals. It brings the number of LGBTQ+ related bills he has vetoed this legislative session to four. One of the vetoed bills, AB 524, would have provided protections for California workers who need time off to care for their biological or chosen family members. It was authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and had drawn strong support from LGBTQ+ rights advocates and groups promoting gender justice policies. The second LGBTQ+friendly bill vetoed by Newsom was AB 1432, which was authored by Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) and would have closed loopholes in existing law to ensure that health insurance policies provided to Californians by out-of-state employers with out-of-state insurance contracts include coverage for abortion and gender-affirming care. Newsom reiterated concerns about this well-intentioned bill leading to litigation. The third bill he vetoed this weekend was AB 1645, authored by gay Assembly Member Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Santa Monica/West Hollywood). It would have closed loopholes and strengthened protections in existing law to ensure that California health insurers continue to provide free and complete coverage for preventive services like PrEP, an effective medicine for ensuring people remain HIV-negative and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Newsom has until Saturday, October 14, to sign or veto two more LGBTQ+ related bills before him. Both concern the needs of transgender individuals.
#Queer Up Health