California law protects transsexuals, crossdressers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gray Davis has signed into law a controversial bill protecting “transsexuals” and “cross-dressers” in hiring and employment practices. Davis signed the bill into law Aug. 2.

Because the bill does not include an exemption for religious businesses, those such as Christian bookstores could be faced with a $150,000 fine if it is proven they discriminated against a transsexual or cross-dressing applicant — for example, a man wearing a dress.

While the bill does have an exemption for religious nonprofit organizations (churches, etc.), it does not include an exemption for non-religious nonprofit organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, according to the Campaign for California FamiliesWeb site.  (TAB)