Indiana Lawmakers Enact Transgender Sports Ban with Veto Override

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 10:56 AM

Indiana is the 17th state to pass such legislation.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana lawmakers have voted to override Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto of legislation that prohibits biological males from competing in girls’ athletics in K-12 schools.

When Governor Holcomb vetoed the bill in March, he stated that the “bill presumes there is an existing problem regarding transgender athletes in K-12 sports in Indiana that requires further state government intervention.”

The IHSAA backed up the governor’s sentiment by admitting “there is no unfair advantage occurring in girls’ athletics.”

With the veto override from state lawmakers, Indiana is now the 17th state to enact a law prohibiting a male, based on the student’s biological sex at birth, from participating on an athletic team or sport designated as being female.

House representatives voted 67-28 in favor of the override, while the Senate passed the override 32-15.

Two Republican State Representatives released the following statements:

"I will always treasure watching my granddaughters play sports, and with this new law we hope to protect those opportunities for Hoosier girls to compete. This will ensure fair competition so that female athletes don't miss out on scholarships or spots on their teams," said State Rep. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield).

"Today, the legislature acted to protect Hoosier girls who want to play sports in a fair environment. This law ensures an equal playing field for female athletes now and in the future," said State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown).

Indiana Senate Democrats released this statement:

“Today, most members of the supermajority bent to extreme, right wing factions of their party and voted to codify discrimination against vulnerable Hoosier children. Our caucus, as well as certain Republicans, including Governor Holcomb, understand that this legislation is both cruel and unnecessary–we already have a process to deal with this on the very rare occasion it becomes an issue. This is just one more example of our reactionary supermajority sticking government where it doesn’t belong in order to further their private political agenda.”

“All Hoosier children, including trans kids, deserve our protection, care and love; there shouldn’t be anything political or controversial about that. It’s upsetting to see this body waste time and taxpayer money on bullying minors (and the resulting lawsuits), rather than on any number of policies to really protect women and kids like mental health spending, a state child tax credit or well-funded childcare. It’s short-sighted and a waste of Hoosier tax dollars—we’ll be glad to see this struck down in court.”