September 28, 2006

GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL ENCOURAGING FAIRNESS IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS

AB 1207 Adds Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community, Among Other Groups, To Fair Campaign Practices Pledge

Sacramento, CA - Today, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1207, the Code of Fair Campaign Practices Act.  Sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and authored by Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee, (D-San Francisco), the bill amends the voluntary pledge signed by candidates and campaign committees to include the groups and characteristics covered in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), including sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Political campaigns should focus on the issues and not perpetuate negative stereotypes about any community," said Geoff Kors, EQCA's executive director.  "Campaigns that engage in this kind of tactic give the green light to discrimination and put the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and all Californians at risk. We appreciate the governor signing this bill."

"The governor was given a second chance to do the right thing and I am pleased to see that he affirmatively declared that it is wrong to defile the honor of the democratic process with anti-gay rhetoric," said Speaker Pro Tem Yee.  "I hope this is just the first change of heart the governor has on these vital civil rights issues."

The Code of Fair Campaign Practices asks candidates for public office to voluntarily commit to running fair, decent and honest campaigns.  Included in the current pledge is the statement:  "I shall not permit any appeal to negative prejudice based on race, sex, religion, national origin, physical health status, or age."  AB 1207 amends the statement to include:  actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, and sex, including gender identity.