A recent report from City Journal sheds light on California’s unique “gay-certification program,” which enforces penalties for what’s being called “gayfishing”—essentially, pretending to be gay without actually identifying as such.
So, why would someone in California go to such lengths? Well, the state actively supports businesses owned by LGBTQ individuals, providing them with certain advantages.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees a variety of utility companies, including those involved in electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and various forms of transportation. Big utility firms are required to create plans aimed at promoting the involvement of minority-owned businesses, which encompasses women, disabled veterans, and individuals identifying as LGBT.
Identifying someone’s race or sex can be relatively straightforward. But, how does the state confirm whether someone genuinely identifies as gay?
According to City Journal, the Supplier Clearinghouse plays a crucial role in verifying minority statuses for the benefits offered by the CPUC.
This organization presents a few options for applicants to substantiate their LGBTQ status. For example, they can submit evidence like a marriage license, documents showing a joint living arrangement with a same-sex partner, or three letters of reference from acquaintances who can confirm the person’s sexual orientation.
One humorous option mentioned involves an article or media reference that explicitly identifies the applicant as gay, which can be submitted as proof.
The most amusing form of verification? A letter from a physician or attorney confirming the individual’s LGBT status—essentially a doctor’s note stating, “By the way, I’m a lesbian.”
There are certainly advantages to being, or even appearing to be, gay in California. A business owner might feel nudged to visit their doctor and come out as bisexual for the potential profit it could bring.
However, caution is warranted. Misrepresenting a straight-owned business as gay to secure utility contracts could lead to significant penalties—a $5,000 fine, jail time, or both.
This issue isn’t just a local problem. It reminds me of challenges seen in the UK, where special consideration is given to asylum seekers who claim to be gay, asserting that returning to their home countries may lead to persecution. Reports indicate many migrants, guided by immigration advisors, often feign their sexual orientation to gain residency, as revealed in a comprehensive BBC investigation.
An undercover reporter found that attendees at an LGBTQ+ advocacy event openly discussed the feigned nature of their claims, with one saying, “Nobody is gay here.”
Will California encounter a similar rise in fraudulent claims? It’s hard to say. I have my doubts that anything less than legal action would make the state reconsider its current policies. In fact, an uptick in fraud might prompt California to employ someone to conduct “Homosexual Confirmation Assessments” throughout the state.
