California is about to become the fourth state in the nation to ban housing and job discrimination against transgendered people. Governor Davis has signed a bill prohibiting such discrimination.

The new law will take effect January 1.

The measure has long been a goal of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists in the state. California already prohibits housing and job discrimination against gays and lesbians. California now joins Minnesota, Rhode Island and New Mexico in extending that protection to transgendered people.

This was the first time the bill had reached the governor´s desk.