Utah’s parliament resolved on Friday to revoke the governor’s veto, enacting a bill banning young transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, and making the state in a country that enacts such a law. I made it the 12th.
The new law, known as HB 11, is most likely to be challenged in court, the legislator said. In the event of a proceeding, this measure triggers a committee of experts to determine eligibility for each case and assess the student’s physical characteristics such as height, weight and wingspan. The law will come into effect on July 1.
Most Republicans in Congress who voted for Override said they were concerned about the fairness of girls’ sports, and Democrats who voted against them felt that transgender youth were unnecessarily targeted. Insisted that mental health was compromised.
Republican Governor Spencer Cox, who will be re-elected in 2024, faced political backlash from the party when he blamed the bill this month after Republican state senators passed it last minute.He said in letter He explained the veto on Wednesday, worried that a complete ban would endanger the lives of transgender children, and believed that the bill had not been fully discussed.
“Fear and anger are rarely directed at very few people,” he said of about 85,000 student athletes, four transgender children playing high school sports in Utah. I did.
However, supporters of this measure say the number will increase.
In an interview, Senator Daniel McKay, who introduced the proposed ban and defended it on the legislature floor, said in an interview that it was unfair for transgender girls to play girls’ sports, and in the legislature 3 Issues that have been discussed for over a year.
Eleven other states have enacted similar legislation in recent years as transgender girls and women’s participation in sports has become an increasingly divisive topic between political leaders and athletic organizations.
On Monday, Republican Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana said he had rejected a similar bill and was likely challenged in court and did not resolve the pressing issue. Republicans are also expected to revoke his veto.
About becoming transgender in the United States
The Arizona Parliament passed a bill on Thursday banning transgender students from joining women’s sports teams. Republican Governor Doug Ducey hasn’t said whether to sign, and his office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Mr. Cox seems to be aware of the political risks of veto, writing that “it’s much easier and better to just sign the bill,” but he “does what I tried to do.” I tried to do it. ” Regardless of the result, the feeling is correct. “
“I want them to live,” he said of transgender student athletes, adding that the bill could worsen their mental health and increase their risk of suicide death.
Mr. Cox’s veto reflects various political and personal equations in the state that still accepts moderate republican brands represented by Senator Mitt Romney, local politics. The house and analysts said.
These factors include fears that anti-transgender law is bad for attracting and retaining businesses, Kox’s own history, which was sensitive to LGBTQ concerns, and feeling that he was blinded in passing the bill. It contained frustration with members of his own party.
Republican Senators and the House of Representatives, who make up the majority of both Houses, met virtually on Monday and decided that they could raise the two-thirds threshold needed for overrides, McKay said.
Troy Williams, Executive Director of LGBTQ rights group Equality Utah, was involved in the bill negotiations and advocated allowing transgender youth to participate in girls’ sports. He said he had heard from Republican senators that if they didn’t vote for the ban, “they would lose their race” in the next election.
Williams explained that the ban was cruel and discriminatory and was an attempt by Republicans to increase their support for the issue of cultural war in fighting challengers in party primaries.
“This was never about protecting women’s sports,” he said. “This is all about protecting their political position.”
Republican Senator Daniel W. Thatcher, who voted against the bill, said Friday he considered voting in favor of overrides to improve his position at the upcoming Republican state convention. But on Friday, he decided to vote against Override, saying the bill was flawed and would hurt the transgender community.
“When I lost the race, I lost the race in support of what I believed. As always,” Thatcher said.
Kera Barkerland, the chief sponsor of the bill, who is also a coach for women’s basketball in the Republican Party, said there was room for compromise at first, but the ban is best because it “maintains the integrity of women’s sports.” Judged to be the solution.
Sue Robins, a member of the Utah Transgender Advisory Board, said she was “disappointed” by lawmakers.
“It was a lot of work for them, so they just decided to stop talking and ban them,” Robins said. “And I don’t think it’s good governance.”
