This week read about Utah's governor vowing to veto an anti-trans sports bill, and an attorney's appeals blocking an investigation into a trans teen's family in Texas.
Governor Promises to Veto Anti-Trans Sports Bill
Both the state Senate and House passed an anti-trans sports bill in Utah that would bar trans girls from participating in school sports. The governor promised to veto the bill which says that students must play on teams that coincide with the sex they were assigned at birth.
The bill’s language was altered on March 4 before the changes were proposed by Sen. Daniel McCay. While it did ultimately pass, some lawmakers were uncomfortable with the last-minute changes and expressed their concern with how the bill would impact the state’s children.
Sen. Daniel Thatcher said that he would have supported the bill in the past but changed his mind after meeting children within the community, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t do more,” Thatcher said, his voice breaking.
Gov. Spencer Cox said he was shocked at the changes brought by McCay and that he’ll veto the bill.
“Anyone that’s interacted with the transgender community understands how amazing they are and how difficult it can be for them,” Cox said. “I don’t want to make things harder for them than they have to be.”
Attorney General Appeals Block In Investigation Into Trans Teen’s Family
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Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott told the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate the families who provide gender-affirming care to trans teens for “child abuse.” One anonymous family had an investigation opened against them, but a state judge blocked it.
Now, Attorney General Ken Paxton is filing an appeal.
According to the Texas Tribune, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum granted a temporary restraining order that halted the investigation into the one family — investigations into other families were still open.
Meachum was scheduled to potentially enact a statewide injunction blocking investigations into parents of trans teens, but because of Paxton’s appeal, the hearing was postponed.
“The Texas government’s attacks against transgender youth and those who love and care for them are discriminatory and unconscionable,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “These actions are clearly dangerous to the health of transgender youth in Texas.”
Becerra said his office is looking into ways to protect transgender Texans from these investigations.
“This is government overreach at its worst,” President Joe Biden said. “These actions are terrifying many families in Texas and beyond. And they must stop.”
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