North Carolina governor vetoes three bills intended to protect parents’ rights and minors; Legislature may override

The North Carolina governor vetoed three bills pertaining to parental rights and gender-altering procedures last week while the Legislature prepares to vote on possible overrides this week.

Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 574, the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” Senate Bill 49, the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” and House Bill 808, dealing with gender transitions for minors.

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act would prohibit transgender females from participating on school sport teams that don’t align with their gender assigned at birth.

Prominent women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines publicly questioned the governor’s veto on social media, pointing out an incident that occurred last year when a transgender athlete injured a female athlete on the volleyball court.

“Hey Gov, reminder that this happened to a girl in your state,” Gaines wrote. “She is partially paralyzed on her right side and her vision is still impaired.”  

At least 22 states have now banned transgender athletes from participating in school sports inconsistent with their gender assigned at birth, according to WCNC. 

The Parent’s Bill of Rights would ban discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools from kindergarten to 4th grade. The bill would also ban teachers and staff from keeping information about a child’s gender identity from parents, according to WRAL News. 

Senator Amy Galey, R-District 25, says it’s not a teacher job to address questions of sexuality from students.  

“The child should be referred back to their parents, who should be seen as the source of authority in that child’s life,” Galey said. “We should not have public schools substituting themselves for parents.”  

The Gender Transition/Minors bill would prohibit medical professionals from performing surgical gender transition procedures and providing hormones or puberty blockers to minors.  

Senator Joyce Krawiec, R-District 31, said children need to be protected from such life-altering treatments.  

“We have no idea what the long-term consequences are going to be,” Krawiec said according to AP News. “The state has an interest in protecting our children from long-term harm. And that’s what this bill is all about.” 

At least 18 states have policies in place the restrict gender affirming care on minors.  

Both chambers are expected to hold veto override votes this week.