Wisconsin governor Tony Evers on Tuesday vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled legislature that would have banned high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity.
Evers had promised to veto the bill since it was introduced, and while Democrats didn't have the votes to stop its passage, Republicans didn't have the votes needed to override the veto.
In a statement explaining his veto of the bill, Evers said that the legislations "emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence, and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids."
“States across this country may give way to radical policies targeting LGBTQ individuals and families and threatening LGBTQ folks’ everyday lives and their ability to be safe, valued, supported, and welcome being who they are. As long as I am the governor of this great state, Wisconsin will not be among them," Ever said.
Republicans who promoted the bill argued that the legislation was about fairness to non-transgendered athletes, while opponents argued there was no real issue with transgender high school athletes in Wisconsin and said the proposed ban was a form of discrimination and harmful to transgender youth.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association requires transgender athletes to undergo hormone therapy before they can play on the teams of their choice. The association’s policy is modeled after NCAA requirements for transgender athletes.
“We expect our kids to treat each other with kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion, and we should be able to expect adults to lead by example,” said Evers said. “I urge the Republican majority to do so while fully considering the harmful consequences its efforts and actions have on our kids prior to introducing similar legislation in the future.”
