Gov. Cox to veto bill turned ban on transgender girls in sports
Mar 4, 2022, 9:31 PM | Updated: 10:07 pm
Members of the Senate conduct business on the last day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 4, 2022. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox says he will veto a bill turned ban on transgender girls participating in school sports.
“It’s going to be OK,” a teary governor told reporters after the Senate passed the bill 16-13. “We’re going to work through this. We’re going to find a good path.”
Republican Sen. Dan McCay proposed an amendment that would ban on all transgender girls. After debate on the Senate floor, the bill passed the Utah Senate 16-13. It now goes back to the House to approve the changes.
Cox explain that McCay was not part of any discussion with the sponsor of H.B. 11 and Equality Utah, who worked on the bill that would create a commission that would review cases.
The addition of the amendment has generated anger from many.
LIVE UPDATE: The 4th sub to HB11 is live. It is now a total ban on trans youth participating in sports. This is outrageous! If adopted by the Senate it will be a betrayal of LGBTQ youth. This isn’t over. We will keep fighting for transgender youth! #utpol #utleg #transrights
— Equality Utah (@EqualityUtah) March 5, 2022
Only three hours until the end of the legislative session and GOP Senators release a new bill with a complete ban on transgender student participation in school sports.
THIS is the so-called Utah Way under supermajority GOP control. Don’t forget it. #utpol #utleg
— Better Utah (@betterutah) March 5, 2022
Sen. Daniel Thatcher spoke Friday night before the vote happened.
He said, “I’m really disappointed we couldn’t give the minority caucus a few minutes to ask questions. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. I’m sorry for what’s about to happen.”
Also speaking Friday night was Sen. Gene Davis, who also opposed the last-minute amendment.
“This is a highly discriminatory piece of legislation,” he said. “What is the constitutionality of treating some girls different? I believe it’s a constitutional right to be treated exactly the same.”
Gov. Cox has said previously that he would veto a ban. However, it is unclear if he still feels that way.
