SoylentNews

First up . . .

California law requires stores have gender-neutral area for children’s products

California has become the first state to require large retailers to have gender-neutral sections for products like toys and toothbrushes — a law pushed by LGBT advocates who say that pink and blue marketing reinforces gender stereotypes and is harmful to children.

[....] “We need to stop stigmatizing what’s acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids,” Low said. “My hope is this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes.”

Would it perhaps be easier to simply require stores to have separate toy sections for each and every possible gender? Some toys that are intended for multiple genders might have to be stocked in multiple different toy sections.

Another idea: keep the colors pink and blue. Also offer items in other colors. Using the example of toothbrushes in the article, offer colors such as yellow, red, green, but not purple -- not ever purple.

Next up . . .

California law bans small off-road gas engines, including lawnmowers and chainsaws

California took another step toward its goal of ridding the state of all gas-powered engines thanks to a new bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday.

The new law will ban the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts. Under the new law, these machines must be zero-emissions, meaning they will have to be either battery-powered or plug-in, according to the Los Angeles Times.

What if I got one of the banned items from a state neighboring California, such as Connecticut. Will California have border inspection stations for off road gas engines, similar to agricultural border inspection stations?

If these lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, etc are able to be used ON the public roadways, then can they be sold and not affected by the ban?

As for portable electric generators, it would be possible to have a generator that is powered by a motor and battery. Also Home Depot offers green portable generators that should not be banned.