{"id":2615724,"date":"2026-06-18T15:16:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T15:18:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:18:38","slug":"california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/","title":{"rendered":"CA Requires Proof Of Gayness For Contracts But Not Voter ID"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalifornia-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2615724&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses California&#8217;s controversial policies regarding business and voter identification processes.It reports that california requires LGBT-owned businesses to undergo a \u201cgay-certification\u201d process, which involves submitting extensive documentation to prove their LGBT status. Failure to do so can result in up to a year in jail. This process is part of the state&#8217;s effort to promote diversity in utility contracts through the CPUC&#8217;s Supplier Diversity Program, expanded in 2014 to include LGBT-owned firms. Despite this scrutiny for business certification, California&#8217;s voter ID laws are notably lenient, with no mandatory identification requirements at polling stations and allowing proof of identity through simple documents like credit cards or utility bills.Governor Newsom actively opposes local efforts to implement voter ID laws, and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal investigations suggest ongoing concerns<\/a> over voter fraud due to the state&#8217;s relaxed regulations.The article highlights the inconsistency between the rigorous proof required for LGBT business certification and the minimal requirements for voter identification, raising concerns over fairness and integrity in state policies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/an-elderly-man-talking-to-a-woman-7103112\/\">Edmond Dantes \/ Pexels<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/18\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=California Requires Proof Of Gayness To Get Utility Contracts But Not Proof Of ID To Vote&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/18\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=California Requires Proof Of Gayness To Get Utility Contracts But Not Proof Of ID To Vote&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/18\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/18\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=California Requires Proof Of Gayness To Get Utility Contracts But Not Proof Of ID To Vote&#038;body=%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/18\/california-requires-proof-of-gayness-to-get-utility-contracts-but-not-proof-of-id-to-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &#038; Email\"><span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>California businesses have to go through a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.city-journal.org\/article\/california-gay-business-contracts-utilities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gay-certification<\/a>\u201d process to receive special contracts meant for gay-owned companies, Christopher Rufo of City Journal reported Tuesday. If these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-to-fuel-an-entrepreneurship-revival-to-save-america-from-ai-driven-job-loss\/\" title=\"How To Fuel Entrepreneurship And Counter AI-Driven Job Loss\">business owners fail<\/a> to sufficiently prove their claimed gayness, they may face up to a year in jail, while California\u2019s vetting process for voters is practically nonexistent.<\/p>\n<p>The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sets regulations for private utility companies and now pressures them to hire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpuc.ca.gov\/about-cpuc\/divisions\/news-and-public-information-office\/business-and-community-outreach\/supplier-diversity-program\/utilities-contracting-opportunities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contractors<\/a>, such as engineering firms, infrastructure companies, and fuel suppliers, who are owned by individuals who identify as LGBT, Rufo reported. CPUC\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpuc.ca.gov\/supplierdiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supplier Diversity Program<\/a>\u201d works to \u201cinclude diverse firms\u201d in the organizations that receive utility company contracts. Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in 2014 that expanded the definition of \u201cdiverse firms\u201d to include businesses that are <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1678#:~:text=This%20bill%20would%20extend%20these%20provisions%20to%20LGBT%20business%20enterprises%2C%20as%20defined.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LGBT-owned<\/a>, making them eligible for supplier-diversity benefits.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-2272093797\" class=\"d-flex justify-content-center fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2 fdrlst__b89e9-entity-placement\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1463670073398-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In order for businesses to receive these contracts, they must submit <a href=\"https:\/\/s35.89a.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/SCH_ApplicationDocumentList.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">documentation<\/a> that proves the qualifying owners\u2019 LGBT status. Applicants can pick from a checklist of 13 options for how to prove their gay or transgender identity. Accepted documents include reference letters that can vouch for someone\u2019s status as LGBT, joint living agreements that include a same-sex partner, or media coverage that states the person\u2019s status as LGBT.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"onPgrcU8M5IK7heRCv1xmEVpFNuUBLl6Jf3ezbZykuAjQmO39p8O5VAEDgT4WMsch60sQXx7qYD1tWRw429LG\"><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">SCOOP: California is pressuring public utilities to award $633 million in special contracts to &#8220;LGBT-owned&#8221; firms. To qualify, residents must go through the state&#39;s official gay-certification program\u2014and face up to a year in jail if they&#39;re not gay enough.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rOcnPqYJrl\">https:\/\/t.co\/rOcnPqYJrl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Christopher F. Rufo \u2694\ufe0f (@christopherrufo) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/christopherrufo\/status\/2066923198017335414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Although California does its due diligence to ensure the gayness of contract recipients, the state does not enforce voter identification with anywhere near the same scrutiny. California is <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Voter_identification_laws_by_state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one of 12<\/a> states with no voter ID law currently on the books. Individuals without a government ID can <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/06\/25\/californians-with-no-drivers-license-or-ssn-can-use-a-credit-card-or-gym-membership-to-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">show<\/a> a gym membership, credit card, or utility bill as \u201cproof\u201d of identification.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the state\u2019s governor is actively working to prevent localities from signing voter ID requirements into local law.<\/p>\n<p>When the Huntington Beach city council <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/10\/01\/newsom-signs-law-barring-huntington-beach-voters-from-deciding-their-own-voter-id-laws\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approved<\/a> a voter ID measure and residents of the city approved it, Newsom signed legislation to prevent the will of the voters from prevailing. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB1174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SB 1174<\/a> states that local governments \u201cnot enact or enforce any charter provision, ordinance, or regulation requiring a person to present identification for the purpose of voting or submitting a ballot at any polling place, vote center, or other location where ballots are cast or submitted, unless required by state or federal law.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said there are several ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcra.com\/article\/us-doj-continues-elections-investigation-fight-to-audit-californias-voter-rolls-ca-politics-360\/71573105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">investigations<\/a> into voter fraud in an interview with California Politics 360. Essayli said California\u2019s relaxed voting laws, which include universal vote-by-mail and the absence of voter ID requirements, are key issues with the state\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnder longstanding DOJ rules, we can\u2019t discuss the specifics of any investigation, but they are ongoing, and I do believe they will result in criminal charges in the near future,\u201d Essayli said in the interview.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, business owners who want to register their company as LGBT have to jump through \u201ca mess of documentation,\u201d a trans-identifying male and business owner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.city-journal.org\/article\/california-gay-business-contracts-utilities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">told<\/a> City Journal. The business owner, who is married to a woman, had to provide documentation to the state to prove he is a \u201clesbian.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even as California\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-chief-says-china-stole-sensitive-data-for-use-in-ai-program\/\" title=\"FBI Chief Says China Stole Sensitive Data for Use in AI Program\">laws require businesses<\/a> to submit extensive paperwork proving they are LGBT to have preferential treatment for contracts, the state requires little to no proof of identification to vote.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Skye Graham is an intern at The Federalist. She is a senior History major at Hillsdale College and serves as the assistant features editor for the Hillsdale Collegian.<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Skye Graham<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/skyegraham\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/california\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">California<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/christopher-rufo\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Christopher Rufo<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/city-journal\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">City Journal<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/election-integrity\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">election integrity<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/gay-certification\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">gay certification<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/newsom\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Newsom<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/voter-id\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">voter ID<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/voter-id-laws\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Voter ID Laws<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California requires gay-certification for certain business contracts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4302,"featured_media":2615725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pexels-edmond-dantes-7103112-e1781799577386.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[42115,33274,5102,33240,42126],"class_list":["post-2615724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-california-legislation","tag-civil-rights","tag-discrimination","tag-lgbtq-rights","tag-voter-id-laws"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pexels-edmond-dantes-7103112-e1781799577386.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4302"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2615724"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615724\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2615728,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615724\/revisions\/2615728"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2615725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2615724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2615724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2615724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}