Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender females from participating in girls’ athletic events in school.
The Republican governor issued a letter Monday saying he supports the idea behind the bill but sees “no evidence” of a current problem in Indiana’s educational athletic system.
“The presumption of the policy laid out in HEA 1041 is that there is a problem in K-12 sports in Indiana that requires further state government intervention,” Holcomb wrote. “It implies that the goals of consistency and fairness in competitive female sports are not currently being met. After thorough review, I find no evidence to support either claim even if I support the overall goal.”
Holcomb also said the legislation leaves too many questions unanswered, specifically regarding how individual schools would apply and maintain standards of fairness.
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“Student-athletes could be treated differently according to which school they attend and compete for,” Holcomb stated. “Frustration of students, parents and administrators will likely follow. This of course only increases the likelihood of litigation against our schools with the courts having to adjudicate the uncertainties.”
Indiana Legislature Schools
The bill’s critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, called it “hateful legislation,” according to the Associated Press.
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Indiana’s Republican Legislature passed the bill as 11 other states put forth similar bans. The legislative comes amid widespread controversy surrounding transgender swimmer Lia Thomas’s dominance in NCAA women’s swimming.
Holcomb’s veto could be overridden by Indiana lawmakers as soon as May 24.
