Move To Toughen California Civil Rights Law

Move To Toughen California Civil Rights Law

by Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com San Francisco Bureau
Posted: February 23, 2005

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/02/022305california.htm

Sacramento, California) Legislation has been introduced in the
California Assembly to give more teeth to the state's civil
rights law, called the Unruh Act.

The Unruh Act applies to all business establishments that
provide services, goods or accommodations to the public.

Businesses subject to the law include, among others, shopping
centers, mobile home parks, bars and restaurants, schools,
medical and dental offices, hotels and motels, and condominium
homeowners associations.

The Unruh Act explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sex,
race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
disability or medical condition, but does not specifically
mention LGBT people..

Courts have held that the categories listed in the law are
merely examples and that the Unruh Act should be interpreted
broadly to prohibit arbitrary discrimination including
discrimination based on personal characteristics, geographical
origin, physical attributes and individual beliefs.

The amendments, introduced Tuesday by Assemblymember John Laird
(D-Santa Cruz) adds specific references to sexual orientation,
gender identity, marital status or familial status.

"This legislation says to the nation that California welcomes
all and is a state that does not tolerate discrimination," said
Steve Hansen, Legislative Advocate for Equality California.

Last year Laird sponsored amendments to the state's labor laws
to specifically list LGBT people.

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