Governor Jerry Brown Signs Transgender Students Bill into Law

Today, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the "School Success and Opportunity Act" into law, aimed at allowing transgender youth have the opportunity to fully participate and in schools across the state.

Assembly Bill 1266—which goes into effect on January 1, 2014—was authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and passed the California State Senate and Assembly earlier this summer. The law is the first of its kind in the country, and requires that California public schools respect students’ gender identity and makes sure that students can fully participate in all school activities, sports teams, programs, and facilities that match their gender identity.

Co-authored by Senators Mark Leno and Ricardo Lara and Assemblymember Toni Atkins, the bill is backed by a coalition of civil rights organizations, including Transgender Law Center, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Gender Spectrum, Equality California, ACLU of California, National Center for Lesbian Rights, statewide teacher and parent organizations, and dozens of other organizations.

Story submitted by Mark Snyder, Transgender Law Center