Kentucky governor vetoes GOP transgender measure

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a Republican bill Friday aimed at regulating the lives of transgender youths that includes banning access to what some describe as "gender-affirming health care" and requiring them to use bathrooms that correspond with their biological gender.

The bill also bans discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and allows teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by the pronouns they use. It easily passed the GOP-led legislature with veto-proof margins, and lawmakers will reconvene next week for the final two days of this year's session, when they could vote to override the veto.

The veto comes as Beshear seeks reelection to a second term this year in Republican-trending Kentucky, and his veto could reverberate through the November election.

Beshear said in a written veto message that the bill allows "too much government interference in personal healthcare issues and rips away the freedom of parents to make medical decisions for their children."

In his one-page message, he warned that the bill's repercussions would include an increase in youth suicides. The governor said, "My faith teaches me that all children are children of God and Senate Bill 150 will endanger the children of Kentucky."

Beshear told reporters later Friday that transgender children and their parents were among the Kentuckians who contacted his office as he reviewed the legislation.

"I heard from children that believe this bill is picking on them, and asking – in many ways – why?" the governor said. "I told them that I was going to show them that there is at least one person in Frankfort that cares for all of our children in the commonwealth, no matter what."

Republicans quickly pounced on the governor's veto to try to portray him as out of touch with most Kentuckians on the culture wars issue.

"Andy Beshear thinks it’s okay for children to have access to life-altering sex change surgery and drugs before they turn 18," state Republican Party spokesperson Sean Southard said in a statement. "Today, he revealed how radical he truly is."

David Walls, executive director of the Family Foundation, which supported the bill, called the governor's veto "just another furtherance of his attacks of parents and the rights of parents in our schools. So, we are deeply disappointed."

But others praised Beshear's action. Angela Cooper, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, accused lawmakers of trying to score political points by singling out "vulnerable children."

"By vetoing this hateful legislation, Governor Beshear has demonstrated his commitments to protect Kentucky parents’ rights to raise their children as they see fit, and to keep medical decisions where they belong: between providers and patients," she said.

The ACLU has warned that it "stands ready" to challenge the measure in court if it becomes law.

Chris Hartman, executive director of the Louisville-based Fairness Campaign, said SB 150 is the "worst anti-trans bill in the country right now." Beshear's veto sends a message to "trans kids across the Commonwealth that they are valued and that they matter."

The legislation in Kentucky is part of a national movement, with critics accusing state lawmakers of approving extensive measures that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people this year, from bills regulating trans athletes and drag performers to measures limiting gender-affirming care.

But supporters of the bill argue it would protect youths from having to share restrooms with people of the opposite gender and ensure that young people don't have potentially irreversible medical procedures at a young age.

In Kentucky, the expanded version that reached Beshear's desk was rushed through both legislative chambers in a matter of hours March 16 before lawmakers began an extended break. The fast-track work enabled lawmakers to retain their ability to override the governor's veto. The action triggered outrage and tears among opponents unable to stop the legislation.

The repackaged measure would ban "gender-affirming care" for transgender minors. It would outlaw gender reassignment surgery for anyone under 18, as well as the use of puberty blockers and hormones, and inpatient and outpatient gender-affirming hospital services.

Doctors would have to set a timeline to "detransition" children already taking puberty blockers or undergoing hormone therapy. They could continue offering care as they taper a youngster’s treatments, if removing them from the treatment immediately could harm the child.

Such treatments have long been available in the United States and are endorsed by major medical associations.

The bill would not allow schools to discuss sexual orientation or gender identity with students of any age.

Another key provision would require school districts to devise bathroom policies that, "at a minimum," would not allow transgender children to use the bathroom aligned with their gender identities.

It also would allow teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by the pronouns they use and would require schools to notify parents when lessons related to human sexuality are going to be taught.