California's governor vetoes pro-trans bill, a Missouri school is criticized for having a trans homecoming queen, and the Pentagon will review pre-DADT repeal LGBTQ veterans' records.
In a Rare Move, Gov Vetoes Pro-trans Bill
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill on Sept. 22 that required judges to take into account children’s gender identities during custody cases, according to Politico. Assembly Bill 957 was written by Lori Wilson, a parent to a transgender child.
Newsom stated in his veto message concerns about permitting the government “to dictate — in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic — legal standards” for judges.
Sen. Scott Wiener referred to the veto as a “tragedy” for trans kids who “are living in fear” in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
School Criticized For Trans Homecoming Queen
Photo via Oak Park High School. (@Northmmen_OPHS)/Twitter.
According to NBC News, Oak Park High School in Kansas City received criticism after crowning 17-year-old Tristan Young as homecoming queen on Sept. 15. She is the school’s second transgender student to receive this title, following Landon Patterson eight years ago.
North Kansas City Schools posted the crowning on social media, receiving mixed responses.
“I want to pause and congratulate Tristan for being crowned Oak Park High School’s Homecoming Queen!” Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post. “I uplift this against the transphobic comments against this young person who was named queen by their peers. I’m thankful the next generation of Kansas City is so kind.”
Pentagon To Review Pre-DADT Repeal LGBT Vets' Records
OutSFL file photo.
According to CBS News, the Department of Defense announced an initiative on Sept. 20, the 12th anniversary of the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that banned the LGBT community from openly serving.
The initiative will involve the Pentagon reviewing veterans' records who were made to leave the military “under other than honorable conditions,” which restricts their ability to access benefits.
"For decades, our LGBTQ+ Service members were forced to hide or were prevented from serving altogether," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "Even still, they selflessly put themselves in harm's way for the good of our country and the American people. Unfortunately, too many of them were discharged from the military based on their sexual orientation — and for many this left them without access to the benefits and services they earned."
