Utah bans transgender athletes in girls sports despite veto

By SAM METZ and LINDSAY WHITEHURST
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — GOP lawmakers in Utah have pushed through a ban on transgender youth athletes playing on girls’ teams, overriding a veto and joining 11 other states with similar laws amid a nationwide culture war. The Friday vote followed Cox’s veto letter that said such laws target vulnerable transgender kids who are already at high risk of suicide. Cox was the second GOP governor this week to overrule state lawmakers on a sports-participation ban amid a nationwide culture war over transgender issues. Business leaders in Utah are also concerned about backlash and lost revenue. But the bans are supported by the party’s vocal conservative base and 11 states have enacted similar laws. Utah’s ban takes effect July 1.