The state House of Kansas failed to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, with a vote of 82-43, just two votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed. This decision was celebrated by transgender rights advocates, who saw it as a win for parental rights and Kansas families. The bill would have banned treatments such as hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and surgeries for trans and nonbinary youth, with the possibility of civil lawsuits against doctors who provided such care to minors.
Governor Kelly applauded the state House’s decision to sustain her veto, stating that divisive bills like this have no place in Kansas. The Republican-controlled Senate successfully voted to override the veto, but the lack of support in the House prevented the ban from being enacted. The bill also included provisions to prohibit the use of state funds for gender-affirming treatments and to bar state employees from recognizing a minor’s preferred pronouns if they did not match the sex assigned at birth.
Transgender advocates and organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, praised the decision to block the bill, calling it a victory for transgender kids, their families, and advocates across the state. They highlighted the strength, resilience, and solidarity of the transgender community and their allies in fighting against discriminatory legislation. This decision contrasts with a previous successful override of a veto to enact an anti-trans sports ban in Kansas last year, showing the ongoing battle for transgender rights in the state.
The gender-affirming care ban would have had significant implications for trans and nonbinary youth in Kansas, including limiting their access to essential medical treatments and potentially endangering their well-being. The bill’s provisions to allow civil lawsuits against doctors and to revoke their licenses for providing gender-affirming care to minors raised concerns about the consequences for healthcare professionals and the future of transgender healthcare in the state. The defeat of the bill was seen as a relief for the transgender community and a demonstration of their advocacy efforts.
Despite the Senate’s successful vote to override the veto, the state House’s decision to sustain the veto ultimately prevented the gender-affirming care ban from being enacted in Kansas. Governor Kelly’s statement emphasized the importance of standing against divisive bills and protecting the rights of Kansas families. The ongoing battle for transgender rights in the state continues, with advocates and allies celebrating this victory while remaining vigilant in their efforts to oppose discriminatory legislation and support the well-being of transgender youth. The decision reflects the broader national debate on transgender rights and healthcare access, highlighting the importance of inclusive policies and protections for LGBTQ individuals.
