California's LGBT Hate Speech Law Sparks Outcry From Christians

WHO:

NY Post - Christian groups and pastors in California are criticizing the new law.

Fox News - Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council (CFC), and Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills are notable critics of the legislation.

Fox News - Equality California is the state’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization supporting the legislation.

WHAT:

NY Post - A new California law requires employers to integrate "anti-hate speech" instruction into workplace harassment training.

Fox News - The law, Assembly Bill 1803, mandates that employers with five or more employees include additional instruction on recognizing, reporting, and addressing workplace speech that "vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred" based on protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Fox News - The law will take effect on January 1, 2028.

Fox News - The training module includes a slide defining "gender identity" as each person’s "internal understanding of their gender."

WHERE:

NY Post - The law applies to workplaces in California.

Fox News - The California Civil Rights Department is responsible for developing the training curriculum.

WHEN:

Fox News - Assembly Bill 1803 was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last month.

WHY:

Fox News - Critics argue that the law forces employers to promote a government-approved viewpoint on issues like sexual orientation and gender identity.

Fox News - Supporters of the legislation argue that existing harassment training leaves employees vulnerable to hostile work environments.

HOW:

Fox News - Employers are expected to incorporate the new material into existing harassment training programs.

Fox News - The law does not create a separate training requirement but adds to the existing requirements for harassment training.

(UPDATED October 18, 2026 22:57 UTC)

A new California law, Assembly Bill 1803, requires employers to integrate "anti-hate speech" instruction into their workplace harassment training, effective January 1, 2028. While supporters, including the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality California, argue that this legislation is necessary to protect employees from hostile work environments, critics like Greg Burt from the California Family Council and Pastor Jack Hibbs contend that it forces employers to endorse a government-approved viewpoint on sensitive issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity. The law mandates that employers with five or more employees include additional training on recognizing and addressing speech that vilifies or incites hatred based on protected characteristics, with the California Civil Rights Department responsible for developing the training curriculum.