REVEALED: First US state to mandate gender-neutral toy aisles announced
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation that makes California the first state to mandate gender-neutral toy aisles for large retailers.
California Assembly Bill 1084 applies to retailers with more than 500 employees and requires that some toys and child-care products be sold in areas not specified by gender. It does not ban toy aisles for boys and girls.
"Keeping similar items that are traditionally marketed either for girls or for boys separated makes it more difficult for the consumer to compare the products and incorrectly implies that their use by one gender is inappropriate," read the text of the legislation.
The law will take effect in 2024 and sets out minimal civil penalties for stores that don't comply — $250 for a first violation and $500 for additional violations.
"If you're a boy, if you're more artistic and want to play with glitter, why not? Why should you feel the stigma of saying, 'Oh, this should be shamed' and going to a different location?" said California Assemblyman Evan Low, a Democrat.
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