Jun 23, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Louisiana governor vetoes transgender sports bill

Rebecca Falconer

Gov. John Bel Edwards talks to media at the Case Closed Barbershop on November 15, 2019 in New Orleans — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) on Tuesday vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have banned transgender women from participating in girl's and women's school and college sports.

Details: "As I have said repeatedly when asked about this bill, discrimination is not a Louisiana value, and this bill was a solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in Louisiana," Edwards said in a statement countering the bill's supporters who say they're trying to protect female athletes from unfair competition.

"Even the author of the bill acknowledged throughout the legislative session that there wasn't a single case where this was an issue."

The big picture: Republicans in at least 25 states have introduced a record 60-plus bills targeting transgender youth this year.

What to watch: While Edwards' action prevents the bill from becoming law for now, lawmakers in the GOP-controlled House and Senate could override the veto — as happened in Arkansas in April over a bill that criminalizes gender-affirming care for transgender children.

The last veto override session in Louisiana under the current constitution occurred in 1974, AP notes.

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Louisiana governor vetoes transgender sports bill

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