Bill would help protect LGBT inmates Contra Costa Times

The Assembly has approved legislation that would encourage prisons to consider a person's sexual orientation and gender

identity when determining inmates who need protection.

AB 382 promotes more safety among the prison population's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inmates, said Alice Kessler, government affairs director for Equality California.

Equality California opposed Proposition 8, the state's successful same-sex marriage ban.

The organization was a sponsor of a December meeting in San Francisco among legislative leaders about the LGBT prison population.

The pending bill would change the 2005 Sexual Abuse in Dentention Elimination Act, which lists several categories such as age, mental health and prior time served when prison officials determine where and how to house an inmate.

AB 382 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to that list.

See Bill would help protect LGBT inmates Contra Costa Times