The Democratic-controlled California State Assembly silenced state assemblymember James Gallagher during a heated debate over a bill that could jeopardize the custody of parents who fail to “affirm” their children’s gender identities.
The California Legislature recently approved AB 957. This legislation mandates judges to evaluate whether a parent “affirms” their child’s “gender identity” during custody disputes. Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener and Democratic Assembly Member Lori Wilson proposed this bill earlier in February.
“I wanna get this out there. It’s important that we know what the science and the information is saying. Even a recent follow up study in 2021 found that out of 139 participants, only 17 persisted in their gender identity, they were looking at young boys. One-hundred-twenty-two, 87%, went back to their biological sex. You can’t have a—” Gallagher said.
Gallagher’s microphone was abruptly shut down. The official reason given was a “time limit on speeches.”
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“This bill, for purposes of this provision, would include a parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity or gender expression as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child,” the bill purports.
Assemblyman Joe Patterson voiced his concerns during the debate. He highlighted that the bill might introduce unnecessary complications into family dynamics.
“California judges are already using their discretion. They already can use it, I have seen it. They already can do this right now. And so I am concerned that this is the state telling the courts to give special emphasis on this because they can already do it. So when I look at that and I look at what I went through growing up — a very complicated family situation — I believe this is going to add more complication,” Patterson said.
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