The governor of Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers, vetoed the law passed by the state legislature to prohibit the participation of trans people in women's sports categories. Evers accused Republicans of approving a bill "anti-LGBTQ" law and justified his rejection with the classic populist slogan that "LGBTQ children deserve our love and respect and support like any other child," without entering into the harm suffered by athletes compared to the physical advantages of biological men.
BREAKING: I just vetoed Republicans’ anti-LGBTQ bill to ban trans and gender nonconforming kids from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identity.
LGBTQ kids deserve our love and respect and support just like any other kid. pic.twitter.com/h4BT2uhj3K
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) April 2, 2024
Evers calls himself a champion of LGBTQ children
Surrounded by progressive Democratic legislators and trans activists, Evers proclaimed himself a champion of the state's LGBTQ children and denounced that these types of laws "embolden anti-LGBTQ harassment, intimidation and violence, and threaten the safety and dignity of "LGBTQ Wisconsinites"
This type of legislation, and the harmful rhetoric engendered by its supporters, harms LGBTQ Wisconsinites and children's mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, intimidation and violence, and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids. I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and children. And I will continue to keep my promise to use every power at my disposal to defend them, protect their rights, and keep them safe.
Disappointment and anger among athletes
The measure was soon criticized by athletes who have personally suffered the consequence of allowing trans athletes to compete in women's categories, such as former swimmer Riley Gaines. Gaines recalled that the veto can be overturned by a 2/3 majority in the legislature, and invited citizens to call state representatives and senators to demand that they do so. Furthermore, she stressed that he is the governor of the state who has vetoed the most laws (188).
If you live in WI, contact your state rep/senator. The veto can be overridden with a 2/3 majority vote like they did in Ohio recently. Public opinion/public outrage matters
This is Gov Evers 188 veto since taking office, the most vetoes issued by a Wisconsin governor in history… https://t.co/xZGmOU2vco
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 2, 2024
"Don't our girls also deserve safe and fair competition?"
Another of the most applauded criticisms came from a renowned lesbian athlete and activist for LGBTQ rights, former tennis player Martina Navratilova. In response to Evers' post on X, the former WTA number 1 asked: Don’t our girls deserve safe and fair competition also? Or they don’t really count???
Hello Governor Evers-
Don’t our girls deserve safe and fair competition also? Or they don’t really count???— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 2, 2024
