Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin, who is a Democrat, has denied a ban on transgender high school athletes proposed by Republicans. He thinks that the legislation would harm the mental well-being of trans youth and make the state less safe for LGBTQ+ people. It seems that State Republicans don't have enough votes to overturn his decision.
Evers expressed that this kind of legislation and the harmful language associated with it negatively affect the mental health of LGBTQ Wisconsinites and kids. Additionally, it encourages anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence while jeopardizing the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, particularly LGBTQ kids. his veto message.
Evers wrote, “I am vetoing this bill entirely because I oppose the idea of enshrining discrimination into state statute. I also disagree with the Wisconsin state legislature's ongoing efforts to promote hateful and discriminatory rhetoric and policies targeting LGBTQ Wisconsinites, including our transgender and gender nonconforming kids… I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and kids.”
He vetoed the bill publicly while being surrounded by trans advocates, Democratic lawmakers, the mayor of Madison, and others, as reported by NBC News. NBC News reported.
The bill would have compelled public, private, and independent charter schools to categorize each team based on the gender of its members and then mandate participants to play on teams corresponding to the gender indicated on their birth certificates.
The bill would have overridden current policies that were established in 2015 by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. established in 2015 by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, that allowed trans students to play on sports teams matching their gender identity as long as they provided a personal letter; supporting documentation from parents, teachers, and medical professionals; and proof of any gender-affirming care.
In his veto message, he noted that the proposed law would also have Bostock v. Clayton County, a 2020 Supreme Court decision that ruled LGBTQ+ discrimination as a form of sex discrimination. Evers said the ban would have also contradicted the administration of President Joe Biden and his Department of Education’s interpretation of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits educational sex discrimination. Biden has said the law forbids schools from outright banning trans students from playing on sports teams matching their gender identities.
As of April 2, 25 states have laws banning trans athletes from competing on sports teams that match their gender identities. Supporters of trans sports bans claim they ar necessary to “protect” girls’ and women’s sports. However, opponents have pointed out that sexism and poor funding harm women’s sports and discourage female athleticism far more than trans competitors. Many young trans student-athletes just want to play sports alongside their friends to have fun, stay healthy, and feel accepted by their peers.
Last September, Evers vetoed a Republican-led bill that would’ve banned gender-affirming medical care for minors. Most major American medical associations consider such care to be safe, effective, and essential to trans people’s overall well-being.
