Letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom: Sign AB 1041
Today, OPEN delivered the following letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom:
AB 1041 Wicks: Request for Signature
Dear Governor Newsom:
On behalf of OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-Monogamy), I'm writing to request your signature on Assembly Bill 1041, which would expand the class of people who may take leave in order to provide medical care. The bill expands the definition of a "designated person" to any individual related by blood o whose association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.
OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy) is a non-profit dedicated to advancing cultural acceptance of polyamory and ethical non-monogamy. Our vision is a future where romantic and intimate relationships between consenting adults are accepted and protected, regardless of relationship structure.
Every Californian should be able to take time away from work to provide care for a seriously ill loved one, regardless of whether they’re related by blood, a legal relationship, or not, without fear of losing their jobs.
Currently, California's family leave laws reflect the outdated nuclear family model and only allow workers time off to care for certain narrowly defined family members. California's laws should reflect the lived experience of its citizens. With most households departing from the "nuclear family" model of a married couple and their biological children — AB 1041 addresses this need by expanding who legally qualifies to provide that care.
A 2020 poll by YouGovAmerica reported one in five adults in North America will engage in ethical non-monogamy at some point in their lives. Additionally, one-third (32%) of US adults say that their ideal relationship is non-monogamous to some degree, with 43% of millennials indicating that their preferred relationship style is ethical non-monogamy. AB 1041 is essential to ensuring equality in our workplace laws and directly helps this growing population, along with many others, who wish to provide care for the people they love.
California has always been a leader in positive social change, and the Legislature and Newsom Administration have demonstrated their commitment to caring for our aging population and supporting LGBTQ individuals and families. AB 1041 is an important step towards building a healthier state by supporting all family structures.
Sincerely,
Bryan DeBlonk
Political Director
Organization for Polyamory & Ethical Non-Monogamy (OPEN)
