Sacramento, CA – California state Senate approved legislation that will deny nonprofit tax breaks to any youth organization that discriminates based on gender identity, race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation. The bill passed with a whopping 27-9 vote. Sponsored by by Democratic Sen. Ricardo Lara, the bill would make groups like the Boy Scouts of America ineligible for state tax breaks, due to their recent announcement to keep the gay-ban on scout leaders, but not on openly gay scouts below the age of 18. Sen. Ricardo says, “Equality does not have an expiration date – discrimination should not be subsidized.” If the bill is signed into law by the governor, any organizations that fail to comply would have to pay sales tax on food and beverages sold at fund-raisers, in addition to corporate taxes on donations and membership dues.