‘Gender affirmation’ must be a factor in child custody fights, California Legislature says

Affirmation of gender would become one factor among others in granting child custody as part of concerns for a child’s health, safety, and welfare. Other factors include parental abuse and the amount of contact a child has with his or her parents, the Associated Press reported.

Assemblymember Lori Wilson, a Democrat who introduced the bill, said gender affirmation could mean letting a child play with toys associated with his or her gender identity, getting nails painted, or wearing his or her hair at a desired length.

There are no specific requirements regarding purported gender-affirming surgeries, which minors can undergo in California only with parental consent.

California law already bars custody courts from considering a parent, legal guardian, or relative’s sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation when…