Attorney General Becerra: California Will Restrict State-Funded and State-Sponsored Travel to Oklahoma

SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced that, effective June 22, 2018, California will prohibit state-funded and state-sponsored travel to Oklahoma as a result of discriminatory legislation Oklahoma signed into law on May 11, 2018. Oklahoma’s law is scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2018.

California’s Assembly Bill 1887 (AB 1887), which took effect in 2017, prohibits state-funded and state-sponsored travel to states with laws that authorize or require discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Last month, Oklahoma’s governor signed Senate Bill 1140, a child placement measure that allows private adoption agencies to deny placement services to same-sex parents and to refuse to place LGBTQ foster children in homes based on religious or moral grounds. Oklahoma’s new law discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

“California law requires that my office identify and maintain a list of states which are off-limits for state-funded or state-sponsored travel,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “California will not use state resources to support states that pass discriminatory laws. The law enacted in Oklahoma allows discrimination against LGBTQ children and aspiring LGBTQ parents who must navigate the adoption process. California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy.”

“AB 1887 was enacted to ensure our taxpayer dollars do not fund bigotry – no exceptions. California is a state of inclusion and has long stood up against discrimination in any form, within our borders and beyond,” said Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. “I stand with Attorney General Becerra as he holds our values high and ensures we do not put any state money behind other states’ discriminatory policies.”

“Every child deserves a loving, supportive family, and it’s neither pro-child, nor pro-family, for Oklahoma to deny them one,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “California taxpayers won’t subsidize Oklahoma’s — or any state’s — discriminatory policies, and we’re grateful to Attorney General Becerra for taking this decisive action today in support of equality for all.”

“We applaud the Attorney General for ensuring that California taxpayer dollars are used to support our state’s values of inclusion and equality,” said Cathy Sakimura, National Center for Lesbian Rights Family Law Director. “Oklahoma’s law allows adoption agencies to deny children safe and stable homes merely because their adoptive parents are LGBT, denying our families equal dignity and harming children.”

AB 1887’s restriction on using state funds for travel applies to California state agencies, departments, boards, authorities, and commissions, including an agency, department, board, authority, or commission of the University of California, the Board of Regents of the University of California, and the California State University.

For additional information on AB 1887, including the list of states and Frequently Asked Questions, visit: www.oag.ca.gov/ab1887/faqs.