The LGBTQIA+ Acronym and California's Legal Framework
Written by: Vanessa C. Deniston, Executive Director, Dolan Law Firm DE&I Committee
California is home to the nation’s largest self-identifying population of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender population and continues to be a leading change agent for the advancement of
LGBTQIA+ rights across the nation. The following reference guide summarizes the key legal
protections for LGBTQIA+ Californians as of June 2025 pertaining to marriage, parenthood,
employment, education, healthcare, housing, and the criminal justice system.
THE LGBTQIA+ ACRONYM AND CALIFORNIA’S LEGAL FRAMEWORK
California has some of the most comprehensive legal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals in
the United States. While the acronym LGBTQIA+ is widely recognized, it’s important to
understand how California law specifically defines and protects this diverse community.
LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex,
Asexual, and more. The “+” acknowledges that this acronym continues to evolve as our
understanding of gender and sexuality expands. It’s worth noting that definitions and
terminology in this space are fluid and can mean different things to different people.
Given the ongoing evolution of the LGBTQIA+ acronym, California law typically frames its
protections afforded to the community around three key concepts:
Sexual Orientation: This refers to a person’s emotional, romantic, and/or sexual
attraction to others. It includes identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
heterosexual.
Gender Identity: This is an individual’s internal sense of being male, female,
neither, or both. It may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth.
Gender Expression: This encompasses how a person presents their gender to the
world, including through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, and other forms of self-
expression.
MARITAL RIGHTS
Federal and Statewide Right to Marry
While California was the first state in the country to recognize same-sex marriage in 2008, it
became legal nationwide following the landmark Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges in
2015. Currently, same-sex couples can marry nationwide and all states must extend all the
rights and benefits to marriage that are afforded to straight couples. This includes but is not
limited rights pertaining to family visitation, whether in a hospital or a prison, next-of-kin status
in medical decision-making, custodial rights to children, whether biological or adoptive, shared
property, entitlement to alimony following a divorce, and standing to file wrongful death action
following the death of spouse as a result of the negligence of another.
