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Indiana governor vetoes bill to bar transgender girls from girls’ sports

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In his second and final veto of the legislative session, Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday nixed a proposal to ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ K-12 sports teams.

House Bill 1040 drew hours of testimony and some of the most impassioned debate of the session. It came amid a nationwide push by Republican-controlled state legislatures to crack down on the participation of transgender girls and women in school athletics. The bill’s sponsors said they wanted to protect the integrity of girls’ sports and the ability of girls to compete for scholarships on a level playing field.

The argument didn’t convince the governor. In a veto message sent to House Speaker Todd Huston’s office, Holcomb said the bill presumed a problem already existed that required the state to intervene and it implied the goals of consistency and fairness in girls’ sports were not being met.

“After thorough review, I find no evidence to support either claim even if I support the overall goal,” Holcomb wrote.

Holcomb further noted courts so far have blocked similar laws passed in other states. The ACLU of Indiana had threatened to sue if the bill became law.

The bill’s author, Rep. Michelle Davis, a Republican from Whiteland, said in a January statement, “This legislation is the result of listening to the concerns of female student athletes and parents in my district and across the state. The purpose of this bill is to protect fair competition in girls’ sports.”

Lawmakers will return to the Statehouse on May 24 for a veto session. A simple majority in both chambers would be enough to override the governor’s veto.

Statements

“The moment the Indiana High School Athletic Association admitted there was no unfair advantage occurring in women’s sports, it became clear House Bill 1041 was more about fulfilling a made up culture war than actually creating a better future for Hoosier children. Indiana Republicans even admitted their goal was more about abiding by national politics than solving today’s problems facing kids – and it’s why they partnered with a national hate group to pass House Bill 1041.

It’s encouraging to see Governor Eric Holcomb tell his party that their culture wars have crossed the line. Signing House Bill 1041 into law would have put the lives of our children in jeopardy. However, this unnecessary debate has set a tone with kids that being transgender means something is wrong with them. It must be said that nothing is wrong and being transgender is exactly how God created you and is exactly who you are born to be. Indiana Democrats value and will advocate for the state’s transgender community, because they have a place in our state and future just as everyone else.”

Mike Schmuhl, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party

“This victory belongs to the trans youth of Indiana, who deserve to live as their authentic selves and to play the sports they love, free from discrimination. This win wouldn’t have been possible without the thousands of Hoosiers who voiced their strong opposition to state legislators and who showed up at the Statehouse to oppose this harmful bill. Discrimination has no place in our state.”

Katie Blair, advocacy and public policy director, ACLU of Indiana

“Girls’ sports should be for girls, and allowing biological males to compete with them robs female athletes of a chance to compete and win. I’m disappointed Governor Holcomb vetoed a bill to make this law in Indiana, and I support a veto override to protect women’s athletics.”

Tweet from U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indianapolis Republican