In a small win for LGBTQ+ rights, Kansas governor Laura Kelly vetoed the state’s anti-trans sports ban. At the start of April, conservative lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate passed Senate Bill 160 (SB 160) – also known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.
Like other anti-trans sports bans in the US, transgender girls would be barred from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity.
However, on 15 April, Kelly announced her veto against the offensive law in a lengthy statement. “Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business,” she said. “We all want a fair and safe space for our kids to play and compete.
However, this bill didn’t come from the experts at our schools, our athletes or the Kansas State High School Activities Association.