Legislation that would force some nonprofits to record the sexual orientation of board members, as well as the number of grants awarded to homosexual groups, is awaiting a vote in the California Senate. The Assembly passed the Foundation Diversity and Transparency Act — AB 624 — in January.
Under AB 624, foundations with assets over $250 million would be forced to report the race, gender and sexual preference of its staff, board of directors and grant recipients. Foundations also would be forced to report the number of grants awarded to organizations serving ethnic minority communities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Foundations that don’t comply with the law could face legal action, fines and loss of their nonprofit status.
“Efforts in California to impose forced funding of liberal causes — including gay and lesbian organizations — are comparable to the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ that several liberal Congress members want to reinstate,” said Mona Passignano, state issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action. “Both bills display an attitude by lawmakers that if people don’t do what lawmakers want them to do, then they are more than willing to force that compliance.”
