Christian groups and pastors say new California LGBT hate speech law is disguised as indoctrination

California's new law requiring employers to include "anti-hate speech" instruction in workplace harassment training has drawn criticism from conservative Christian groups. Assembly Bill 1803, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last month, will take effect on January 1, 2028. The law stipulates that employers with five or more employees who are covered by the state's existing harassment-training requirements must 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.

The California Family Council and several traditional churches across the state have expressed concerns that the law could lead to employers disciplining employees over their religious beliefs. They argue that the law's language is too vague and could be used to target disfavored viewpoints, particularly religious ones. Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, stated that the law "poses a significant problem" and that traditional Christian teachings on sexuality, marriage, and gender could become entangled in workplace disputes over what constitutes hateful speech.

The law does not explicitly exempt churches from the new training requirements. Employers are expected to incorporate the new material into existing programs, and the training module posted on the California Civil Rights website includes a definition of "gender identity" as each person's "internal understanding of their gender." The state's Civil Rights Department developed the training curriculum in response to concerns that existing harassment training left people uncertain about what it means to discriminate against or harass someone on the grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Equality California, the state's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, has supported the legislation, arguing that existing harassment training contains a significant gap that leaves employees vulnerable to hostile work environments. However, Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills has criticized the measure, stating that it is an "encroachment upon the church" and that the state is seeking to "legislate their godless morality even into the conduct of the church."