Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) declined to sign a bill requiring student-athletes to compete based on their biological sex on Friday but said that he would allow the measure to become law.
Gordon informed the legislature Friday that the Student Eligibility in Interscholastic Sports Act would become law without his signature, decrying the bill as “overly draconian” and saying it “pays little attention to fundamental principles of equality.”
VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SCRUBS LINCOLN QUOTE FOR GENDER-NEUTRAL MISSION STATEMENT
“While I freely acknowledge the intent of this legislation is well-meaning as a way to protect the integrity and fairness of women’s sports in our state, by enacting an outright ban on transgender individuals participating in sports teams I believe Wyoming sends a harmful message that these individuals and their families do not deserve the same opportunities as others,” Gordon wrote in a letter to the legislature. “Messages like these, whether explicit or implicit, can have a devastating impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals who already face significant discrimination and marginalization.”
The newly enacted law makes Wyoming the latest state to ban transgender students from competing in sports based on their claimed gender identity, instead requiring them to compete based on their biological sex. Numerous Republican-controlled states, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee, have enacted similar bills.
Gordon said it was “difficult” for him to sign the legislation because the legislation was “an invitation for a lawsuit” that would require the state to expend financial resources defending in court.
“Understanding the political reality that will prolong these very divisive debates, I am willing to let this pass into law without the benefit of my signature,” Gordon said. “I reiterate my belief that hate and discrimination have no place in Wyoming. As we move forward over the next couple of years, I urge the legislature to carefully consider policies that promote inclusion and equality for all individuals.”
Terry Schilling, the president of the conservative American Principles Project, celebrated the bill’s enactment and criticized Gordon’s letter to the legislature saying, “It’s not at all ‘draconian’ or ‘discriminatory’ to limit girls’ athletics to girls; in fact, it’s simple commonsense that polling shows most Americans agree with.”
“We applaud Wyoming legislators for taking this step to preserve fairness and integrity in girls’ sports, and we look forward to seeing even more states — and eventually Congress — enact these important protections as well,” Schilling said.
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Antonio Serrano, the advocacy director for ACLU Wyoming, blasted the new law as “shameful” and said it “reinforces the incorrect notion that transgender students are not entitled to the same dignity and respect as all students.”
“Senate File 133 is not about leveling the playing field for student-athletes,” Serrano said. “It’s about erasing and excluding trans people from participation in all aspects of public life. Inclusive teams that support all athletes and encourage participation should be the standard for all school sports.”
