Kansas governor vetoes anti-transgender sports bill for third year in a row

For the third year in a row, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, has vetoed an anti-transgender sports bill — but this year lawmakers could override it.

In her Home Bill 2238 veto message, Kelly mentioned Kansas Higher College Activities Association regulations are enough to guarantee fairness in sports.

“As I’ve mentioned ahead of, we all want a fair and secure spot for our kids to play and compete,” she mentioned in a statement Friday. “That is why I assistance the Kansas State Higher College Activities Association, which was produced to make confident no 1 has an unfair benefit on the field.” The Legislature need to let the Association do its job.

“Let’s be clear about what this law is about – politics.” It will not boost test scores. It will not support any kids to study or create. It will not support any teacher prepare our kids for the actual globe. Here’s what this bill would in fact do: harm the mental wellness of our students. This is precisely why Republican governors have joined me in vetoing equivalent legislation.

“This bill would also reverse the progress we’ve created in company hiring and job creation.” That would send a signal to future organizations that Kansas is far more focused on unnecessary, divisive legislation than becoming a spot exactly where young persons want to operate and raise households.

HB 2238 would prohibit trans girls and girls from competing on women’s sports teams in K-12 schools, clubs and neighborhood colleges. Only 3 trans athletes participate in college sports in the state, Topeka Capital-Journal reports.

Lawmakers have 30 days from the time they obtain Kelly’s official notice of the veto to attempt to override it. “Republicans have far more than the two-thirds majority in each homes required to override a veto, but in 2021 and 2022, numerous moderate Republicans voted against overriding Kelly,” notes the Linked Press. “The Home and Senate votes on this year’s bill recommend supporters might have adequate votes to prevail.”

So far, 18 states have restricted trans participation in college sports. This year, Kansas introduced not only the sports bill, but a quantity of other anti-trans measures, which includes a ban on gender-affirming youth care and a “bathroom bill.”

The Human Rights Campaign praised Kelly’s veto. “Anti-equality lawmakers in Kansas have spent years repeatedly targeting a compact group of currently marginalized young persons who want to play sports for the exact same cause all students do — to find out sportsmanship, self-discipline and teamwork, and to have exciting.” ” mentioned a statement from Kathryn Oakley, state legislative director and senior counsel. “The legislature has created it clear that this discrimination is what it stands for, regardless of each proof displaying that there is no rational cause to assistance this legislation.”

“In contrast, Governor Kelly has treated Kansas students with dignity and respect by refusing to permit kids and college athletics to be treated as a political game.” By vetoing this discriminatory law, she not only took a stand against discrimination, but saved Kansas taxpayers the expense of defending this litigation in court, as other states have had to do. Transgender kids are kids – they deserve each chance that each kid has. All students and all Kansans are much better off for Governor Kelly’s choice these days.”