Five more states were added states banned for states funded travel by California. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that the state has taken this stand to ban places that have laws discriminating against the LGBTQ community, said on Monday. Currently, there are 17 states in the list where state-funded employee travel is banned except under limited circumstances.
Arkansas, Florida, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia were the five new states added to the list.
In his statement, Bonta said that an unprecedented wave of bigotry and discrimination has taken over the country and California is not ready to support it. Whenever a state will discriminate against LGBTQ+ Americans, California will not sit quiet and take action.
In 2016, non-essential travel to states having laws that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people was banned by California’s lawmakers.
Five states banned for states funded travel by California
The five states that have been added to the list have introduced bills this year preventing transgender women and girls from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. They have blocked access to health care for the LGBTQ community and also allowed discrimination towards them.
In 1969 a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village had triggered angry demonstrations by the gay community, this is considered to be a very important moment in the history of the LGBTQ equality movement.
Bonta said that on the anniversary of the Stonewell riots and with the increasing discrimination by various states against the LGBTQ community, California decided to add more states to the list of banned places.
California law exempts few trips like travel required for enforcing California law, for honoring contracts signed before the addition of the states to the list. The 12 other states on the list of banned states are Texas, Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
California Law against LGBT discrimination:
California is considered to be one of the most liberal states in the country with regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights. Since 1976 same-sex sexual activity is legal in the state. In 2003, protection against LGBTQ discrimination with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted across the state.
In California, transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender on official documents without any medical interventions. Medical practitioners practicing medical health in California are forbidden from using any form of conversion therapy on minors.
The California law also has strict laws against LGBT discrimination at workplaces. The Californian LGBTQ discrimination laws are very stringent as compared to the federal laws.
If you or your family member has been a victim of LGBT discrimination, get in touch with an experienced discrimination lawyer.
Khashan Law Firm has been successfully representing members of the LGBTQ community who have been victims of harassment or discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
If you believe you have been treated unfairly because of your LGBT status, we are here to help you. Contact us at
951.461.2387 to fight for your rights and file an LGBT discrimination case.