Beshear, who is a Democrat, joins two Republican governors who vetoed similar bills in Utah and Indiana. In his veto letter, he said he shares their concerns that the bills could provoke lawsuits against the state and cause harm against transgender people.
Beshear also pointed to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association's transgender participation policy, which requires that trans student-athletes undergo hormone therapy after puberty to minimize potential gender-related advantages. However, Senate Bill 83 -- the Fairness in Womens' Sports Act -- passed Kentucky's legislature on March 24 with a GOP majority that could override Beshear's decision.
"It would be crushing for a young lady to train her whole career to have it end up competing against a biological male in the state tournament or state finals," Mills said during Senate debate on the bill.