A California bill that would prohibit
state-funded travel to a state that blocks local LGBT protections
cleared the Assembly on Monday.
Assembly Bill 1887 also bars travel to
states that approve laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
Assembly members overwhelmingly (55-19)
approved the bill, which now heads to the Senate.
Assemblymember Evan Low, a Democrat
from Campbell, authored the bill.
“AB 1887 sends a clear message that
we do not tolerate discrimination in California or anywhere beyond
our borders,” Low said in a statement. “Just as we strive to be
a state that provides equal opportunity for all, we should not be
spending our tax dollars in states that allow discrimination on the
basis of religion. We are stronger by being inclusive.”
Rick Zbur, executive director of
Equality California, which supports the legislation, added:
“California should not be spending taxpayer dollars in states where
lawmakers are targeting the LGBT community for discrimination. AB
1887 will help make sure that California is not helping to finance
that discrimination.”