Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports in Louisiana schools.
Senate Bill 156 sought to forbid individuals who are born biological males but identify as females from competing in girls' and women's sports.
"As I have said repeatedly when asked about this bill, discrimination is not a Louisiana value, and this bill was a solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in Louisiana," said Edwards. "Even the author of the bill acknowledged throughout the legislative session that there wasn’t a single case where this was an issue."
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association allows transgender individuals to compete only after undergoing gender reassignment surgery.
"Further, it would make life more difficult for transgender children, who are some of the most vulnerable Louisianans when it comes to issues of mental health," the governor continued. "We should be looking for more ways to unite rather than divide our citizens."
Edwards also brought up the possibility that such a bill would cost Louisiana opportunities to host major college sporting events.
"NCAA and professional championships, like the 2022 Final Four, would not happen in our state," if the bill became law, Edwards said. "For these and for other reasons, I have vetoed the bill."
The bill passed both houses by more than the two-thirds vote necessary to override the governor's veto. It remains to be seen if lawmakers will call themselves into an override session.