The hearing room was tense, but the most revealing moment came not from the vote tally, but from the testimony itself—and the reaction it drew. As detransitioner Jonni Skinner addressed the California Senate Judiciary Committee, the focus shifted from legislative language to lived experience, delivered in stark, unambiguous terms.
Skinner’s testimony centered on SB 934, a bill introduced by Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener that would expand civil liability for licensed mental health professionals engaged in what the state defines as “conversion therapy.” The legislation also extends the statute of limitations, allowing patients more time to bring legal action against former therapists.
Speaking directly to lawmakers, Skinner described a progression that began in childhood, shaped in part by exposure to online content and reinforced, he said, by medical and mental health professionals who did not probe deeper into underlying causes.
He recounted being placed on puberty blockers and later cross-sex hormones, describing long-term physical consequences that he attributes to those interventions.
His testimony included a specific claim about loss of sexual function, which he linked to early medical treatment. He also referenced comments attributed to Dr. Marci Bowers, a figure associated with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, regarding potential developmental effects tied to certain treatment pathways.
As Skinner spoke, video captured Sen. Wiener appearing visibly uneasy, fidgeting with his hands near his face. The moment circulated quickly, drawing attention not just to the content of the testimony but to the body language of the bill’s sponsor during it.
Skinner argued that SB 934 would further limit the ability of therapists to explore underlying causes of gender dysphoria, framing the bill as restrictive rather than protective. He urged lawmakers to reject the measure, positioning his experience as a warning of what he believes could happen to others under similar circumstances.
Despite the testimony, the committee advanced the bill in a 7–1 vote, with Republican Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares casting the lone vote in opposition. Several members were absent.
The legislative backdrop includes prior measures authored by Wiener, including a 2022 law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that addressed custody and access to gender-affirming care across state lines. Another earlier bill modified certain aspects of sex offender registry requirements, adding to an already complex legislative record that continues to draw scrutiny from both supporters and critics.