Newsom Breaks Anti-Trans Streak, Signs a Slew of Trans Protections Into Law

The message? Pressure works.

Moments ago, California governor Gavin Newsom, who was under fire for transphobic remarks just two months ago, signed into law a flurry of protections aimed at strengthening California’s status as a haven for transgender Americans. The bills signed today include:

• SB 59, which makes the court proceedings of all trans people confidential. Effective immediately, those who have already changed their names and/or gender markers through the California court system will be able to file to take advantage of this, and starting in July 2026, any new requests will automatically be made confidential.

• AB 1084, which makes it easier, faster, and safer for trans adults to change their names by eliminating the possibility of a hearing. Additionally, it would make it easier for trans minors to change their names should one or both of their parents be unsupportive. Under California law, both California residents and non-residents born in California (the only state that allows this) are able to take advantage of California’s trans-friendly name change laws.

• SB 497, which, effective immediately, makes it illegal for those who provide gender-affirming care to minors and/or adults to share patient medical records in compliance with subpoenas from other states or the federal government. As we’ve seen with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Trump administration is attempting to force hospitals to provide records on trans kids, so this measure is desperately needed.

• AB 82, which outlaws the online targeting of gender-affirming care providers and patients by making it illegal to post or share their photos or information with the intent of stoking violence. The bill would also prohibit prescriptions of testosterone and mifepristone (normally controlled substances in California that must be monitored by the state) from being reported to California’s centralised system.

• SB 450, which allows out-of-state families—including queer couples—to take advantage of California’s more inclusive adoption policies as long as the child was born in California.

On Friday, Newsom also signed AB 727, a bill that compels public schools and colleges to include the Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ suicide hotline on student ID cards. Previously, only the inclusion of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was mandated by California law. Thanks to these bills, California, already a haven for the LGBTQ+ community, now leads the nation in protecting the privacy of trans people.

And hopefully, it signals that some of Newsom’s support for the trans community remains. Still, like many of you, I’m keeping a close eye on the California governor. While this is certainly a nice start, the damage he’s already done is not easily repaired. We can only hope he keeps this up.