The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-KY Angela Cooper regarding Governor Beshear's veto of Senate Bill 150, an omnibus anti-trans bill:
The ACLU of Kentucky applauds Governor Andy Beshear's veto of Senate Bill 150. By vetoing this hateful legislation, Governor Beshear has demonstrated his commitments to protect Kentucky parents’ rights to raise their children as they see fit, and to keep medical decisions where they belong: between providers and patients.
Transgender students already live and go to school in Kentucky, play sports, and enjoy time with their friends. They deserve the chance to succeed and thrive like any other student. The adults in the General Assembly should focus on what students, teachers, and schools really need, rather than single out vulnerable children to score cheap political points.
SB 150 was rushed through the legislative process in a shameful, secretive process at the 11th hour. Trans Kentuckians, medical and mental health professionals, and accredited professional associations pleaded with lawmakers to listen to the experts, not harmful rhetoric based in fear and hate. Their pleas fell on deaf ears as the general assembly passed the bill in a matter of hours.
We strongly urge all concerned Kentuckians to contact lawmakers and ask them to uphold Governor Beshear's veto. The General Assembly will have the chance to override vetoes on March 29 and 30. Lawmakers can override a veto with only a constitutional majority.
We wrote to Governor Beshear urging him to veto Senate Bill 150 and outlining the Constitutional and personal harms this legislation could cause. His explanation for the veto can be found here.
To all the trans youth who may be affected by this legislation, we stand by you and we will not stop fighting. You are cherished. You are loved. You belong.
