More legislation passed to improve equal rights for LGB employees in California

September 12, 2011

Jerry Brown, Govenor of California

 Companies that want to do business in California via the government must now provide equal benefits to gay employees.

The author of the bill is Democrat Senator Christine Kehoe. The bill states that contacts over $100,000 awarded to business by the government will only be provided by those companies that provide equal benefits to LGB employees.

Jerry Brown, California’s governor, signed the bill into law.

“Providing the same benefits to an employee with a domestic partner, or same-sex or opposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work,” said Kehoe.

“California should lead the way for other employers to provide benefits that are non-discriminatory.”

Executive director of Equality California said the new law will hopefully dissuade companies from engaging in discriminatory practices.

“The state’s tax dollars earned by hardworking Californians should not be invested in companies that unfairly discriminate against LGBT people and their families,” said Roland Palencia.

“The Equal Benefits bill will ensure that the state does not enter into major contracts with companies that discriminate against same-sex couples. We are grateful to have Governor Brown and Senator Kehoe continuing the fight for the rights of all California workers.”

Similar ordinances already exist in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo Country, San Diego and Santo Monica, according to Equality California.
 

Image by Neon Tommy