April 18, 2022 – Athlete Ally responded today to news that Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed a proposed ban on transgender girls participating in sports according to their gender identity.
“[The bill is] harmful to students and their families, and it’s bad for business,” Kelly said in a statement. She also vetoed a similar measure last year. If this bill were to pass, it would make Kansas the 15th state to pass legislation banning transgender youth from sports.
“Athlete Ally thanks Governor Kelly for leading with compassion, and fighting against this discriminatory, unnecessary bill,” said Joanna Hoffman, Athlete Ally’s Director of Communications. “Governors have the responsibility to take the right and well-being of all their constituents into account, and we are heartened to see more and more leaders vetoing bills that cruelly attempt to ban transgender youth from participating in the sports they love. Transgender youth in Kansas — and everywhere – deserve to be their full selves in all areas of life, including sports.”