The bill is due to enter into force on July 1st. The House voted 56-18 in favor of the bypass, with Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. State Representatives Robert Spedlov and Mike Winter were the only Republicans in the House to vote against the bypass. In the Senate, lawmakers voted 21-8 in favor of overcoming the veto. Republican Sen. Todd Weiller of Woods Cross and Daniel Thatcher of West Valley City participated in the Democrats. The bill, HB11, was originally intended to set up a committee to assess whether a trans athlete could participate in a school sport – a compromise that avoided a total ban. However, in the final hours of the legislative session earlier this month, the Legislature passed a last-minute amendment to the bill banning trans girls from participating in women’s school sports. During the bypass session, Kera Birkeland’s sponsor, R-Morgan, said: “I really believe we are here to support Title IX, maintain the integrity of women’s sport and do it in a way different from other states. “ Birkeland defended the bill, adding that if the legislation were to be passed, trans athletes would still be allowed to participate in co-dispersal. The state of Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, acknowledged that the issue of trans athletes playing in high school sports was “an incredibly controversial and divisive issue”. “I think, however, at this point, we are doing the best we can to try to get through a thread … to maintain women’s sports and find a way forward,” she said. House Minority Leader Brian King said the issue was more complicated than the Conservatives had put it. “Things are not just black and white, in terms of gender orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity. “It is certainly not accurate to say that girls are girls and boys are boys,” he said, a comment that provoked outrage from the public. “Our students in public education deserve better than us.” (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Viewers in the House Gallery as the Utah legislature voted in favor of Gov. Spencer Cox’s veto on HB11, which bans trans girls from participating in school sports that match their gender identity , in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 25, 2022. Carol Spackman Moss, spokeswoman for D-Salt Lake City, criticized lawmakers for amending and voting on the bill in the final hours of the legislative session. “We want to prevent something that has not happened, has not created a problem. “So we are looking for a solution when there is no problem,” he said. Republican’s Judy Weeks Rohner defended the bill, saying it would support a bypass. “We are here to do good politics, we are here to protect children. “We are here to protect all children,” he said. The Senate worked quickly to circumvent the veto, holding a vote with little debate. Senators Lincoln Fillmore, Mike Kennedy, Mike McCell, Ann Milner, along with Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, voted “yes” to secure a bypass. Friday’s hasty meeting to circumvent the veto is due to more than political disagreements with the governor. The Utah constituency kicks off on Saturday morning with five Republican counters on the agenda. Many Republican lawmakers face tough challenges from the right-wing candidacy, and the issue of trans athletes in school sports is one of the most divisive issues in the party. Only two Republicans in the Senate voted against the bypass, Senators Thatcher and Weiler. Thatcher, who has three GOP candidates hoping to remove the GOP nominee from him, said she voted “no” because the bill would likely lead to a precise legal challenge, as it is likely unconstitutional. “How can I keep my oath to defend the constitution by passing a bill that we know is unconstitutional? This bill will never enter into force. “It is a political theater, because we will not have any of the benefits but all the harms,” Thatcher said, while acknowledging that his “no” could cost him his seat. (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, speaks as the Utah legislature voted in favor of Gov. Spencer Cox’s veto on HB11, which bans trans girls from participating in school sports that match their gender identity, in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 25, 2022. “I have to explain to my representatives why I voted against what they want on an issue that interests them more than any other issue I have seen in the past. “If I lose my fight because of this, let it be,” Thatcher added. Ahead of the meeting, Republican lawmakers, including Birkeland and the Utah Eagle Forum, rallied outside the Capitol to support the bill, vowing to bypass Cox’s veto in the name of protecting women’s sports. “I am often asked why I am in such a hurry. Why this process? Well, it’s simple. “For almost two years, we have been trying to find other options,” Birkeland said. “We could not reach a compromise. So whoever tells you that there was a compromise. Why did you jump from the compromise? There was never a compromise. “You can not endanger the freedoms of women.” During the rally, LGBTQ rights activists shouted “Trans rights!” while the deputies spoke on the podium.
“Inevitable” lawsuits
The bill includes a clause that if an action for the ban is taken to a Utah court and deemed unconstitutional, the commission will enter into force. Senate President Stuart Adams said appeals were expected on the bill. The Legislature also proposed and passed a bill that would reimburse high school students for legal fees if they sued for the law, amid concerns that the ban would lead to a costly legal battle against the Utah High School Association, which represents almost 160 high schools. This bill, HB3001, would use a one-time $ 500,000 from the state’s General Fund for Schools or local educators to cover legal costs. The Utah ACLU said the legal dispute over the sports bill in trans youth schools was certain. “We are deeply disappointed and saddened by today’s vote by the Utah legislature to discriminate against transgender young people for excluding them from full participation in sports,” the organization said in a written statement. “An appeal to terminate the entry into force of HB 11 is now necessary and unavoidable in order to ensure constitutional promises of equal protection for all the people of Utah.” Senator Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said the issue of justice in girls’ sports offset any threat of litigation. “What about biological females who believe they are discriminated against because they can not compete? “This particular issue of justice and equality in women’s sport is something that many of us are concerned about,” Bramble said.
“Just let the kids play”
In a four-page letter to lawmakers this week that has since gone viral, Cox explained why he vetoed the original bill. “I have to admit I’m not an expert on transsexuals. I struggle to understand so much of it and science is conflicting. “However, when in doubt, I always try to make mistakes with kindness, mercy and compassion,” he wrote. “I do not understand what they are going through or why they feel that way. “But I want them to live.” Cox said of the 75,000 children who have registered to play school sports in the state, only four are trans children. Several state and local leaders, as well as progressive organizations, have also called on the state legislature to let the bill die and allow the Republican governor to veto it. Although the Utah legislature is bypassing his veto, Cox said he was looking forward to continuing talks on the bill during the interim. “I’m grateful that the legislature acknowledged that there were serious flaws with HB11 and that there was a lot of discussion and input from lawmakers in recent weeks. “I called a special session today to correct at least one defect in the bill and we are excited that the Legislature has agreed to compensate the Utah School District and the Gymnastics Association for the enormous financial burden they will inevitably face.” he said in a statement. Utah House Democrats have condemned Republicans for challenging Cox’s veto. “This bill is designed to gain political points at the expense of children who just want to play sports. “It only causes unjustified harm to trans girls and boys all over our state, when what they really deserve is support, confirmation and love,” the statement said. “Is that really the way Utah is?” “Just let the kids play.” The Utah Jazz on Friday issued a statement that went against the law and called it “biased.” “Utah Jazz opposes discriminatory legislation. We are committed to our values of participation, mutual respect and fair play. “Apart from basketball, we hope for a fair solution that shows love and compassion for all our youth.” Legislative leaders did not seem to worry about the Jazz voicing concern or the possibility that the NBA would move on to next year’s All-Star Game, which is scheduled for Salt Lake City. “The NBA has not spoken to me. This seems hypothetical to me. “I would like to hear from them and what their plans are in other states that have passed a similar bill, such as Florida and Texas, which have many NBA teams,” said Senate President Stuart Adams R-Layton. “I have a season ticket and I can’t wait to …
