A controversial bill in California that requires judges to consider which parent is better affirming their children’s gender during a divorce has sparked outrage from Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO took to Twitter to denounce the proposed legislation as an “outrage” and called it a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Musk argued that the bill would result in parents losing custody if they disagreed with the other parent about sterilizing their child.
The bill, known as AB 957, was passed by the State Legislature after receiving a wide margin of votes in the State Assembly. Under this new law, judges will now have to take into consideration gender affirmation when determining custody arrangements for children of divorced parents. While it won’t be the sole factor, it will be an official criterion for consideration. This means that if one parent opposes their child’s transition, it could negatively impact their chances of gaining custody.
However, the bill doesn’t clearly define what “affirmation” entails. This lack of clarity has raised concerns among critics who argue that it leaves room for subjective interpretations. State Representative Lori Wilson, the author of AB 957, stated that parents have a duty to affirm their children, but the bill fails to provide clear guidelines on how this should be done.
Elon Musk’s opposition to the bill is notable due to his personal connection to the issue. Musk has a transgender child, 19-year-old Vivian Jenna Wilson, who transitioned from male to female. Their relationship is reportedly strained, and Musk blames the California school system for influencing his child’s beliefs. In a recent excerpt from his forthcoming biography, Musk claimed that his child was brainwashed by “woke” ideology at the Crossroads school in Los Angeles and now espouses Marxist/Communist views.
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It is important to note that Musk shares custody of six of his children, including Vivian, with their mother. This background likely contributes to his strong feelings towards the bill, as he believes it could further complicate his relationship with his child.
The fate of the bill now lies in the hands of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until October 14 to sign it into law. Newsom has not yet commented on the bill, but given the progressive nature of California’s legislature, it is expected that he will approve it.
Critics argue that the bill infringes on parental rights and could potentially lead to biased decisions in custody battles. They contend that decisions regarding a child’s gender should be made by parents in consultation with medical professionals, rather than by judges who may not have expertise in this area.
Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, argue that it is necessary to protect transgender children from discrimination and ensure that their needs are considered in custody proceedings. They believe that affirming a child’s gender identity is essential for their mental health and well-being.
As the bill awaits the governor’s decision, the debate over its implications continues. It remains to be seen how this legislation will impact custody battles in California and whether it will have broader implications for similar cases across the country.
