LGBT Tech’s Deputy Director Carlos Gutierrez Writes Op‑Ed in Capitol Weekly on AB 1043
- Tatyana Ithier
- Jun 16
- 1 min read
In an op-ed in California's Capitol Weekly, Deputy Director Carlos Gutierrez writes how online youth safety bill AB 1043's proposed age verification and parental consent measures put the most vulnerable of users at too high of a risk.
Carlos raises pressing concerns about the bill’s proposed age-verification measures, specifically those requiring government-issued IDs or sensitive data, which could expose LGBTQ+ youth in non-affirming homes:
“For LGBTQ+ youth in hostile, non-affirming households, being forced to seek parental consent before downloading an app could mean being outed, sometimes with dangerous consequences.” capitolweekly.net
He also notes the ripple effects of cutting off access to trusted platforms:
“When access to trusted platforms is blocked, youth don’t stop seeking access, they just turn to less safe, unmoderated corners of the internet.” capitolweekly.net
Carlos Gutierrez is Deputy Director & General Counsel of LGBT Tech, the nation’s premier organization working to bridge the technology gap for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
Read the full op‑ed here:
