Women’s Rights
Equal Opportunity, Freedom From Violence
Senator Yee is a strong supporter of women’s rights, and has been a tireless advocate to stop violence against women. In 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminated all state funding for domestic violence shelters and services. Leland Yee was quick to respond – he authored the bill to reinstate over 16 million dollars back into our shelters; critical lifelines for women and children who are facing abuse. For his efforts, Yee was recognized as the 2009 Legislator of the Year by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
Additionally, Senator Yee is committed to combating the sexual exploitation of girls and is a leader in the fight against human trafficking and he was awarded the Modern Day Abolitionist Award by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking.
Leland Yee has a lifetime 100% pro-choice rating by NARAL and Planned Parenthood of California and has been a statewide leader in passing legislation promoting gender equity.
Combating Violence Against Women
Victims of domestic violence often have no place to go and only the safe-haven of the shelters to protect themselves from additional violence. In 2008 alone, law enforcement received 166,343 domestic violence calls and husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends killed 99 women. Leland Yee has taken dramatic steps to protect victims of abuse and their children.
• Funding our Domestic Violence Shelters.
In 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminated all state funding for domestic violence shelters and services. Leland Yee was quick to respond – he authored the bill to reinstate over 16 million dollars back into our shelters. In 2010 Governor Schwarzenegger is at it again, and Leland Yee is once again leading the fight to stop the cuts to our shelters by authoring legislation for a permanent funding stream for local domestic violence shelters.
• Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence.
Passed legislation that prohibits victims of domestic violence from being jailed if they refuse to testify against their abusers, as is the case with victims of sexual assault, and voted to extend the maximum duration of domestic violence protective and stay-away orders.
• Stopping Unjust Evictions of Victims of Domestic Violence.
Senator Yee authored the bill that prohibits landlords from unilaterally evicting victims of domestic violence. Too often, landlords were using “nuisance” clauses in leases to evict victims if they summoned police officers to their homes to help in an abuse situation. This ended a practice that forced children and victims from their homes at their most vulnerable time.
• Men Against Domestic Violence.
Initiated statewide “white ribbon” campaign to encourage men to join the fight to prevent domestic violence
• Gun violence against women.
Voted for a new law that requires a person subject to a domestic violence protective order to give up any gun in his or her possession or control within 24 hours
• Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Minors.
Wrote and passed legislation sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris that toughens penalties against pimps and johns who sexually abuse underage girls
• Safety from Stalkers.
Helped pass a law which requires the DMV to immediately issue replacement license plates
• Eradication of Human Trafficking.
71% of sex trafficking victims are under the age of 25 and 99% are women. Leland Yee authored the bill that allows law enforcement to seize property that traffickers use in facilitation of their crimes, giving law enforcement another important tool to fight modern day slavery.
100% pro-choice
Leland Yee strongly supports a woman’s right to choose, and strongly opposed attempts by right-wing conservatives to roll back abortion rights. In the State Legislature, Leland has worked with women leaders and organizations to protect a woman’s right to choose.
• Rated 100% Pro-Choice.
Rated 100% by NARAL and Planned Parenthood for his support of critical pro-choice legislation that ensures the rights of a woman to a safe and legal abortion
• Speaking Up for Roe v. Wade.
Coauthor of resolution calling on the President and Congress to uphold the substance and intent of Roe v. Wade
• Safety for Health Clinics.
Helped pass law which protects reproductive health care facilities, including those that provide abortions, from discrimination by insurers for being targets of hate crimes or anti-reproductive rights crimes when requested by subjects of stalking
Fighting for Equal Rights
A strong believer in equal pay, equal protection and equal opportunity, Senator Yee has worked to combat gender discrimination in schools, the workplace and the community.
• Equal Athletic Opportunities.
Voted for law that sets standards to determine if educational institutions have effectively provided equitable athletic opportunities for members of both sexes.
• Pay Equity for Women.
Helped pass law raising the penalties for violating Gender Pay Equity laws and to toughen the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to guarantee more violators are caught and held accountable
• Gender Discrimination in Community Programs.
Voted for new law that prohibits cities, counties and special districts from gender discrimination in community youth athletic programs
• Sexual Harassment Training.
Worked to ensure that the state, and employers with 50 or more employees, provide training on sexual harassment to supervisors once every two years.
