California mandates gender-neutral toy aisles for large retailers

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into regulation Saturday a invoice requiring large retailers to offer gender-neutral toy sections, per the Los Angeles Times.

Why it issues: California is the primary state to undertake such a regulation. LGBTQ advocates have identified that advertising and marketing strategies utilizing pink and blue hues “pressure children to conform to gender stereotypes,” AP notes.

• The Consumer Federation of California supported the regulation, saying: “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,” the Sacramento Bee reviews.

Details: The invoice, which can take impact in 2024, overcame opposition from Republicans and conservative teams, who stated it was authorities overreach.

• The regulation states that retail retailers with 500 or extra staff should promote toys and little one care merchandise (excluding garments) in a gender-neutral part that is “labeled at the discretion of the retailer … regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys.”
• Retailers can proceed to supply different toys and childcare items which are historically marketed particularly towards women or boys.
• Companies that fail to adjust to the brand new regulation may face a civil penalty of $250 for a primary violation and $500 for any subsequent violations.

What they’re saying: Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low, who launched the laws, stated “we need to stop stigmatizing what’s acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids,” per AP.

• “My hope is this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes,” Low added.

Of observe: Retailers have in recent times been shifting away from gender stereotypes — notably Target, which introduced in 2015 it might cease utilizing some gender-based indicators in its shops.