Joe Khalil, LGBT Caucus Meets with Transgender Advocates at State Capitol

Sacramento – The transgender bathroom debate playing out in the halls of congress and state capitols nationwide fell upon the steps of California’s Capitol in Sacramento Monday afternoon.

Members of California’s LGBT Legislative Caucus met with transgender advocates for Advocacy Day.

If you ask Sasha Buchert, she’ll tell you California has come a long way. When the transgender attorney officially changed her name in 2011, it was hard to imagine just five years later she’d be walking the halls of the Capitol, demanding lawmakers support transgender rights.

“I think we’re beginning to tell our stories and humanize who transgender people are, but there’s a long way to go,” said Buchert.

Dozens of supporters came with signs and chants, hoping to get the attention of lawmakers like Assemblyman Evan Low.

“It’s important the state of California stand for inclusion and not exclusion,” said Low.

In light of controversial bathroom laws in states like North Carolina and Mississippi demanding people use the bathroom that corresponds to their birth gender, California lawmakers hope to set their state apart.

Low, an openly gay assemblyman, sponsored a bill that will ban lawmakers from using state funds to travel to places with discriminatory LGBT laws.

“It’s heartbreaking in 2016 to see states harm individuals,” said Low.

California’s legislature has seven bills, including Low’s, intended to protect transgender rights.

The state may be more progressive on the bathroom issue, but Buchert says discrimination still persists.

“We hear constantly about people being denied access to restrooms even though under state law they would clearly have the right to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity … we have the same dreams, we want to raise a family and we like ice cream,” said Buchert.

Buchert and others want to see California’s push for LGBT equality set an example that carries nationwide.