A wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation taking hold in states across the country—most notably against the transgender community—has led to three new additions to California’s travel ban.
On Friday, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that Missouri, Nebraska and Wyoming would be added to the list of states where California restricts state-funded travel. The total number of states on the travel ban, which was instituted in 2016 after AB 1887 was signed into law, now stands at 26 after California recently added Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana and Utah.
“These new laws enacted by Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming aren’t just discriminatory, they constitute a clear case of government overreach—and it’s an alarming trend we’re witnessing across the country,” Bonta said in a statement. “By preventing transgender individuals from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity, or by denying them access to critical healthcare, these legislative actions directly contradict the values of inclusivity and diversity.”
He added, “These laws pose significant risks for deepening the stigmatization and alienation of LGBTQ+ youth who are already subject to pervasive discrimination, bullying and hate crimes.”
The Attorney General’s Office offered a breakdown for each of the three states being added to the list:
Missouri
Missouri’s Legislature recently passed SB 39, a bill originating out of the state Senate that prohibits public school districts, including charter schools and public and private colleges and universities, from allowing transgender girls to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity, according to the AG’s Office. Missouri Gov. Michael Parson signed the bill into law on June 7. Parson also signed SB 49, which restricts gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Missouri’s travel ban will go into effect Aug. 28.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s “Let Them Grow Act,” which Gov. Jim Pillen signed into law on May 22, requires anyone who is 19 or younger to undergo “rigorous criteria” set by the state’s Chief Medical Officer before receiving gender-affirming care, according to the AG’s Office. The law also could put health care practitioners on the hook for providing such care, including by making them liable for attorneys’ fees. The law also will deny state funding to any entity found to be out of compliance. Nebraska’s travel ban will start Oct. 1.
Wyoming
A bill out of Wyoming’s state Senate—passed on March 17 and signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon—prohibits public schools, as well as private schools competing against public schools, from allowing transgender female students to participate in sports based on their gender identity, according to the AG’s Office. If the law is struck down, Gordon would have the option to convene an “activity eligibility commission” to create rules around transgender students playing sports. The law also allows students and parents to request administrative actions by the Wyoming Board of Education. Wyoming’s travel ban went into effect Friday.