Conservative Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, of Utah, on Thursday pushed back against state legislation that would regulate transgender youth in scholastic sports and at their doctors’ offices.
HB 302, which would ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports, passed a 50-23 vote in the State House earlier this week and will be taken up by the state Senate.
“It’s very important to me that we have an equal playing field for our women,” said Republican sponsor Rep. Kera Birkeland, said in a Facebook Live video what is the impact that transgender athletes have on high school sports in other states.
FILE – In this January 8, 2021 file photo, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox speaks at an information session at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Cox said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that he would not yet be comfortable signing the current version of a bill that would ban transgender girls from women’s sports, although he continues the talks with the sponsors. (Jeffrey D. Allred / Deseret News, via AP, Pool, File)
(AP)
UTAH GOV. SPENCER COX DRAWS LAW WHICH ALLOWS TRANSPORT WITHOUT PERMISSION
But Cox said he hopes for a better solution than a total ban and will meet with Birkeland, who also served as a basketball and soccer referee in high school.
“I think there is still a lot we can do to protect women’s sports and also to send a message to trans children that there is a place for them, and that it belongs,” he told a television conference on Thursday. “And it’s very important to me that they know that.”
Then he appeared on the podium.
“These kids are – they’re just trying to stay alive,” he said. ‘There’s a reason why none of them practice sports and … I think there’s a better way. And I hope there will be enough grace in our state to find a better solution. ‘
Another bill, HB 92, Cox has already threatened to veto. This bill would prevent doctors from prescribing puberty-blocking drugs and performing gender reassignment surgery on minors.
“We have to be really careful when the government comes in between doctors, families and patients,” he said.
In any case, the bill was hit in the State Committee for Health and Human Services on Friday morning and failed to garner the panel’s support.
Cox’s opposition has garnered praise from LGBT rights groups.
“Thank you @GovCox for sending a message of love and hope to these kids,” attorney group Equality Utah tweeted Thursday. “It’s been a tough week.”
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Last week, Cox received high praise from conservatives after signing legislation that made Utah the latest state to legalize the permissible concealed carrying of firearms.
Anyone over 21 and otherwise legally capable of owning a firearm in the state can carry concealed transportation in May. Residents who want to obtain a permit for reciprocity with other states can still get one.