For the third 12 months in a row, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, has vetoed an anti-transgender sports activities invoice — however this 12 months legislators might override her.

In her veto message on Home Invoice 2238, Kelly stated the laws of the Kansas Excessive Faculty Actions Affiliation are ample to make sure equity in sports activities.

“As I’ve stated earlier than, all of us desire a honest and protected place for our youngsters to play and compete,” she stated in an announcement Friday. “That’s why I assist the Kansas State Excessive Faculty Actions Affiliation, which was arrange to make sure no one has an unfair benefit on the enjoying area. The Legislature ought to let the Affiliation do its job.

“Let’s be clear about what this invoice is all about – politics. It received’t enhance any take a look at scores. It received’t assist any youngsters learn or write. It received’t assist any lecturers put together our youngsters for the actual world. Right here’s what this invoice would really do: hurt the psychological well being of our college students. That’s precisely why Republican governors have joined me in vetoing related payments.

“This invoice would additionally reverse the progress we’ve made in recruiting companies and creating jobs. It will ship a sign to potential corporations that Kansas is extra targeted on pointless and divisive laws than turning into a spot the place younger individuals need to work and lift a household.”

HB 2238 would have barred trans women and girls from competing on feminine sports activities groups in Ok-12 colleges, golf equipment, and public schools. There are solely three trans athletes taking part at school sports activities within the state, The Topeka Capital-Journal studies.

Legislators have 30 days from the time they obtain Kelly’s official veto discover to aim an override. “Republicans have greater than the two-thirds majorities in each chambers wanted to override a veto, however in 2021 and 2022, just a few GOP moderates voted towards overriding Kelly,” the Related Press notes. “The Home and Senate votes on this 12 months’s invoice recommend supporters might have simply sufficient votes to prevail.”

Up to now, 18 states have restricted trans participation on faculty sports activities. This 12 months, Kansas has seen the introduction of not solely the sports activities invoice however quite a lot of different anti-trans measures, together with a ban on gender-affirming take care of youth and a “toilet invoice.”

The Human Rights Marketing campaign praised Kelly’s veto. “Anti-equality legislators in Kansas have spent years repeatedly concentrating on a small group of already marginalized younger individuals who need to play sports activities for a similar cause all college students do — to study sportsmanship, self-discipline and teamwork, and to have enjoyable,” stated an announcement from Cathryn Oakley, HRC state legislative director and senior counsel. “The legislature has made it clear that this discrimination is what it stands for, regardless of every bit of proof exhibiting that there is no such thing as a rational cause underpinning this laws.

“In distinction, Governor Kelly handled Kansas college students with dignity and respect by refusing to permit youngsters and college athletics to be handled as a political recreation. By vetoing this discriminatory laws she not solely took a stand towards discrimination, however she additionally saved Kansas taxpayers the expense of defending this litigation in courtroom, as different states have needed to do. Transgender youngsters are youngsters — they deserve each alternative that any child does. All college students, and all Kansans, are higher off due to Governor Kelly’s choice at present.”