CA Governor Urged to Sign Five Critical Bills as State’s Trans Community Mobilizes for Historic Protections

California’s transgender community and its allies have launched a coordinated campaign urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign five sweeping bills designed to secure and expand protections for transgender people statewide. The bills, which cleared the legislature this month, represent what advocates describe as a “major victory” for trans rights in a climate where federal protections are being rolled back and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has proliferated across the country .

TransFamily Support Services, together with the Alliance for TransYouth Rights and other partner organizations, have mobilized supporters and the general public to contact the governor’s office before the October 12 comment deadline. Their message: California must continue to lead the nation in defending the rights and well-being of transgender people, especially when federal actions threaten to erase or undermine those rights .

The legislative package includes:

- SB 418 (Menjivar): Equal Access to Healthcare
SB 418 strengthens protections against discrimination in health programs and activities receiving government funding. It specifically requires pharmacies to dispense up to 12 months of prescription hormone therapy when medically appropriate and mandates health plans to cover such refills, helping transgender people maintain continuity of care .

- AB 82 (Ward): Health Data Privacy and Safety
AB 82 expands confidentiality safeguards for healthcare information, protecting transgender individuals, their families, and healthcare providers from retaliation, harassment, and surveillance. The bill prioritizes the right to medical privacy, reinforcing California’s commitment to safety and inclusion .

- SB 59 (Wiener): Transgender Privacy Act
SB 59 requires courts to automatically seal records related to name and gender marker changes, codifying the *In re M.T. (2024)* ruling. This measure extends previous protections—once limited to minors—to adults, ensuring transgender people can pursue legal identity changes without fear of being outed or discriminated against .

- SB 497 (Wiener): Transgender State of Refuge
SB 497 closes loopholes in privacy protections for transgender individuals accessing healthcare by requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing the state’s prescription drug database (CURES), with criminal penalties for unauthorized access. This bill strengthens safeguards for sensitive medical information, particularly for those seeking gender-affirming care .

- AB 1084 (Zbur): The Transgender Records Act
AB 1084 streamlines the process for transgender people to obtain court orders for name and gender marker changes. Beginning July 2026, adult petitions must be granted without a hearing and within six weeks, except in cases involving fraud. For minors, courts must grant changes within six weeks if all living parents sign; otherwise, a hearing is scheduled only if objections arise. The bill also simplifies updates to birth and marriage records, reducing administrative burdens and delays .

California has long been recognized as a national leader in LGBTQ+ rights. Governor Newsom’s recent proclamation of June as “LGBTQ+ Pride Month” reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the diversity of its communities, while acknowledging the ongoing struggle against hate, discrimination, and violence—challenges that disproportionately impact transgender people, especially Black transgender women .

According to the proclamation, “members of the LGBTQ community around the world face continuous, hate-fueled discrimination and violence. Across the country, deplorable efforts targeting our LGBTQ community are undoing decades of progress, attacking our foundational rights and freedoms as Americans.” Newsom also pointed to the more than 600 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced nationwide in the 2025 legislative session, highlighting the urgent need for state-level protections .

The five bills now on Newsom’s desk are widely regarded by advocates as essential for preserving California’s role as a “state of refuge”—a safe haven for transgender people, their families, and healthcare providers, especially those fleeing hostile policies in other states .

Transgender advocacy groups have provided scripts and resources to help Californians contact Newsom’s office, emphasizing the urgency and life-saving importance of the bills. Their suggested message underscores the critical need to protect transgender youth, families, and healthcare providers:

“Hello, I’m calling to urge Governor Newsom to promptly sign . It is critical that we protect trans youth, their families, and the healthcare providers who support them. California must continue to lead the nation in defending the rights and well-being of trans individuals. Swift action on this bill will help protect lives. Thank you” .

The deadline for public comment is October 12, giving supporters a narrow window to make their voices heard. The campaign has generated significant engagement, with organizations mobilizing through social media, mailing lists, and in-person events .

The push for these bills comes amid a national wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and increasing attacks on transgender rights. According to the governor’s Pride Month proclamation, more than one in five hate crimes in the U.S. are motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias, disproportionately impacting transgender people .

In response, California lawmakers have repeatedly emphasized the state’s responsibility to “hold the line” against efforts to roll back rights and to advance progress for all LGBTQ+ residents .

The bills now await Governor Newsom’s signature, the final step before becoming law. If signed, they would go into effect in stages, with several key provisions—such as streamlined court processes for name and gender marker changes—beginning July 2026 .

Advocates stress that passage and enactment of these bills would send a powerful message nationwide: that California remains committed to recognizing and affirming the dignity, privacy, and safety of its transgender residents.

If Governor Newsom signs the bills, California’s reputation as a leader in LGBTQ+ equality will be further solidified. The legislation’s broad protective measures—against discrimination, for privacy, and as a refuge—are seen as a model for other states, particularly as federal protections dwindle .

With anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and policy on the rise nationally, the outcome of this campaign will be closely watched across the country. For transgender Californians and their allies, the next weeks are pivotal in shaping the future of inclusive policy—and in reaffirming the state’s promise to protect and celebrate all its residents.