Utah lawmakers proceed with anti-trans sports ban despite governor’s veto
In a major blow to LGBTQ+ rights, Utah has passed its anti-trans sports ban despite a previous veto from Governor Spencer Cox.
On 4 March, state lawmakers introduced the transphobic House Bill 11 during a legislative session. Under the proposed legislation, transgender girls would be banned from competing in school sports that align with their gender identity.
Officials debated the legislation for an hour before it was ultimately passed by the Senate with a 16-13 vote. It then headed to House lawmakers, who immediately passed the proposal with a vote of 46-29.
Shortly after the law passed, Cox announced that he would veto the decision once the document landed on his desk. On 22 March, the Republican governor released his veto letter that referenced data showing that just four out of 75,000 kids playing high school sports were transgender. “Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports.
