The Kentucky state Legislature overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill requiring transgender athletes to compete based on biological sex rather than gender identity.
The bill is now law after both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature voted to override the Democratic governor’s veto Wednesday night by overwhelming margins.
Following the override, state Sen. Robby Mills, an original co-sponsor of the bill, celebrated the law’s enactment as “a huge win for the integrity of women’s sports.”
“Kentucky is a leading voice for female athletes across the nation. The Kentucky General Assembly stands in support of female athletes everywhere as they work hard to achieve their goals and dreams,” Mills said.
The new law adds Kentucky to a growing list of states that have passed legislation requiring athletes to compete based on their biological sex. Texas and South Dakota have recently enacted similar laws, and the Utah state Legislature, like Kentucky, overrode a governor’s veto to pass its state law.
The issue of transgender athletes competing based on gender identity gained renewed focus in recent months following the athletic exploits of transgender University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas.
Thomas, who is biologically male but identifies as a woman, dominated competitions during the NCAA 2021-2022 swimming season, culminating in a national championship in the women’s 500-yard freestyle over multiple Olympic medalists.
