Gay Accomplishments

Gays and lesbians
Source URL: http://www.graydavis.com/accomplish/Accomplishment.asp?iAccomplishmentId=127

Governor Gray Davis has worked to honor the diverse families which call California home. He’s signed legislation to level the playing field and guarantee protections for lesbian and gays in California.

During his first three years, Governor Davis’ reforms included:

Domestic Partners legislation establishing the nation’s first statewide registry for domestic partnerships, and providing hospital visitation rights for domestic partners. The bill also makes health benefits available to the domestic partners of state employees and permits local governments to provide domestic partners’ benefits to their employees. Governor Davis has also worked with Assemblymember Migden this year to craft a bill for him to sign expanding domestic partnership benefits.

The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, which prohibits harassment and discrimination of students in California’s schools on the basis of sexual orientation.
Gov. Davis revoked state regulations automatically opposing the adoptions of foster children by gay and other unmarried couples. This rule impacts all California adoption agencies, county welfare departments and social service agencies.

The Governor opposed Proposition 22, the Knight Initiative. Gov. Davis appeared in television commercials and campaigned publicly in opposition.

Creating a Level Playing Field

Californian is known for its tolerance towards different lifestyles. Governor Davis has sought to ensure that California’s laws live up to those values by preventing discrimination in housing, jury selection, academic admission, and other areas.

Fair Employment and Housing Act – prohibits discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of sexual orientation.

Governor Davis signed into law legislation that prohibits exclusion from jury service based on sexual orientation.

Strengthened government and civil code rules to prevent discrimination.

Through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, cracked down on discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and bias-related hate violence.

Appointed a Diversity Task Force, consisting of business, academic, and community leaders, to make recommendations on outreach efforts for academic admissions, state contracts, and other programs to increase diversity.

The War Against Hate

All Californians are not safe until every Californian is safe. Governor Davis has signed legislation which provides protections for gays and lesbians against hate crimes.

Signed into law legislation to establish a mandatory life sentence without parole for hate murders.
Toughened penalty for hate crimes by empowering prosecutors to collect the $25,000 penalty for victims of hate crimes under the Ralph Civil Rights Act.
Created a Blue Ribbon panel to study laws combating "hate groups" operating in California.
Proclaimed October 15, 2000 “Remembrance Day,” to honor those who have died violent deaths because of their sexual orientation.
Proclaimed August 7-14, 2000 “Hate Crime Awareness Week.”

A Seat at the Table

When selecting appointees to serve in his Administration, Governor Davis has used one criteria above all else: whether they can do the job well. Today, a record number of gay and lesbian appointees serve in senior positions within the Governor’s office and at state agencies and departments.

Governor Davis’ appointments include:

Susan Kennedy – Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary

Daniel Zingale – Director, Department of Managed Care

Rita Saenz – Director, Department of Social Services

Kathryn Jett – Director, Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs

Chuck Supple – Executive Director, California Commission for Improving Life Through Service



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