AB 1980 — Pastor Talking Points
Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program
For use in sermons, Bible studies, and small group discussion
Pastoral Framing
Scripture calls us to seek justice impartially — "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor" (Leviticus 19:15). A government that sorts its citizens by identity categories and rewards some while passing over equally deserving others is not advancing fairness — it is replacing it.
Key Points
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AB 1980 creates a new state grant program that uses taxpayer dollars to fund job training — but it directs those funds primarily toward people who fit specific government-approved identity categories, including the new legal category of "nonbinary."
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Qualified workers who don't belong to a preferred group are moved to the back of the funding line — not because of their need or merit, but because of who they are.
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By embedding "nonbinary" as an official government category, this bill uses public funds to normalize and advance gender ideology — the idea that people can exist outside the biological reality of male and female that God declared in Genesis 1:27.
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Proverbs 31:8-9 calls us to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves... defend the rights of the poor and needy." True justice is impartial — it doesn't create a tiered system where some citizens matter more than others based on identity.
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This kind of legislation, while framed as compassion, teaches children and families that your government-assigned identity category determines your worth and opportunity. That is a vision of the human person in direct conflict with the truth that every person bears the image of God equally (Genesis 1:27).
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Churches and faith-based workforce ministries that receive state funding could eventually face pressure to comply with these identity frameworks or lose access to grants altogether.
How to Pray
Pray specifically for:
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Wisdom and moral courage for California legislators — that they would reject legislation that enshrines government-enforced identity categories over equal, impartial treatment (Romans 13:3-4).
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Protection for faith-based organizations and ministries that serve workers in need — that they would not be pressured to affirm gender ideology in order to access public resources.
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Families raising children in California — that parents would have the wisdom and authority to teach their children the biblical truth that they are made in God's image, male and female, and that their identity and worth are found in Him alone.
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Discernment for the church — that we would see clearly what is happening in our culture and respond with both grace and conviction.
Discussion Question
For small groups: The Bible calls us to pursue justice for everyone equally. How do we as Christians respond when the government defines "justice" in a way that creates winners and losers based on identity categories? How does the gospel shape the way we think about fairness and human dignity?
A Gentle Call to Action
If this issue concerns you, we encourage you to reach out to your California State Assembly representative and respectfully share your perspective. You can also visit californiafamily.org to stay informed and learn how to engage your elected officials on issues affecting life, family, and liberty in our state. Galatians 6:9 reminds us: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."