Kentucky Gov. Vetoes Anti-Trans Sports Bill, But Override Possible
veto message Wednesday, is not only discriminatory but ignores the steps taken by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association to assure that no student-athlete who has an unfair advantage can compete.
Under the association’s policy, a post-pubescent trans female must take hormonal therapy for a sufficient length of time to minimize any gender-related advantage.
Lawmakers behind the bill did not cite a single instance of the KHSAA’s policy being ineffective, he said. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has a similar policy (SB 83 would apply to students from sixth grade through college).“Transgender children deserve public officials’ efforts to demonstrate that they are valued members of our community through compassion, kindness, and empathy, even if not understanding,” he added.The bill passed both the Kentucky House and Senate with veto-proof majorities, however.
Both chambers are dominated by Republicans. The legislature will reconvene next week and could override Beshear’s veto, The Courier-Journal of Louisville notes.LGBTQ+ rights groups praised Beshear’s action and urged legislators not to override his veto.“Governor Beshear did the right thing today vetoing this bill — a bill that would only cause problems, not solve them, by singling out Kentucky’s transgender children for exclusion and discrimination in their own schools,” Human Rights Campaign State Legislative Director and Senior Counsel Cathryn Oakley said in a press release.
