California’s travel ban list continues to expand, with Iowa being the most recent state added to the boycott list. Under Assembly Bill No.1887, California restricts any state funding or state sponsoring of travel to states that enact laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
The following 11 states are currently included on the travel ban list for enacting discriminatory laws: Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Iowa.
The Iowa ban went into effect on Oct. 4. It was added to the list after the Iowa Legislature passed a law repealing Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care, which includes sex reassignment surgeries.
In a press release from Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued Sept. 13, Becerra stated, “California has taken an unambiguous stand against discrimination and government actions that would enable it. That’s why my office is adding Iowa to the list of states subject to state-funded or sponsored travel restrictions.”
As the travel ban list grows, athletics, clubs and other organizations at Cal Poly Pomona are faced with creating solutions for funding their own transportation.
Though CPP sports teams are not allowed to schedule competitions in the banned states, when it comes to postseason games, the situation is unavoidable. In this case, the athletics department funds the transportation costs itself.
“(To travel to banned states), we only use National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship distribution funds (and) fundraiser monies,” said Stephanie Duke, senior associate athletics director. “There are no state funds used.”
For smaller organizations on campus, funding travel to banned states is tricky.
A member of the CPP Kappa Kappa Psi (KKPsi) National Band Honor Society, who asked to remain anonymous, shared how the organization was affected by the state’s travel ban.
In July, a convention celebrating the fraternity’s 100th year, was held in Oklahoma — the fraternity’s founding state and the ninth state to be added to California’s travel ban list. All chapters from around the country were invited.
However, without the help of university funding, the chapter could only afford to send three of its members to the celebration, with travel expenses being around $2,000.
“It was just really sad that only three people could go,” the member of KKPsi said. “We would’ve loved to have more representation there, but it just wasn’t economically feasible.”
The KKPsi member understands the purpose behind the travel bans, but wishes it was possible to receive any kind of financial help from CPP.
“I think the university first and foremost should help the students. I understand why the ban is important, I just don’t know if having this stand actually helps us.”