The California Catholic Conference released the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of AB 957 by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, the bill that would have required that judges in custody hearings consider a parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity as part of the child’s health, safety, and welfare:
“The California Catholic Conference applauds Gov. Newsom’s decision to veto AB 957. This bill was an egregious legislative overreach that would have elevated a loving, protective parent’s non-consent to a child’s social or medical transition to the same level as abuse, violence, or substance use in the eyes of the court for custody disputes and parenting time.
“AB 957 was also based on the non-evidence-based practice of ‘gender-affirming care,’ which is widely disputed, especially evidenced in progressive European countries that do not recommend social and medical transition of minors and emphasize the need for psychological support for children. Affirmation itself includes a range of actions and will be unique for each child, which is why there was even bi-partisan concern at committee hearings that the bill would create confusion in family court between ‘gender affirmation’ and ‘gender affirmation medical care.’
“Rather than driving an unjustified and unscientific wedge between parents and children, we commend Gov. Newsom’s choice to affirm the rights of parents by vetoing AB 957.”