Transgender victims of violence in California will now have more legal protections

A bill clarifies that transgender people may take advantage of legal remedies offered to victims of gender-motivated crimes. It expands the definition of "gender" in California’s Civil Code to include a person’s gender identity and gender expression. The measure also expands protections to victims of sexual orientation-based violence.

The bill’s author, Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman, says the change is small, but accomplishes a necessary step toward transforming the way society views transgender people. Bill supporters say 64 percent of transgender people have been sexually assaulted.

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