LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Thursday signed a law that prohibits transgender women and girls from competing on school sports teams consistent with their gender identity, making the state the second to approve such a restriction so far in this year .
The Republican governor approved the measure despite objections medical and childcare groups that would have devastating impacts on trans youth. Hundreds of college athletes they also urged the NCAA to refuse to hold championships in states that enact such prohibitions.
“This law simply says that female athletes should not compete in a sport against a male student when the sport is designed for female competitions,” said Hutchinson in a statement released by his office. “As I stated earlier, I agree with the intent of this law. This will help to promote and maintain fairness at women’s sporting events. “
Republicans in at least 20 state legislatures have been pushing for similar bans this year. The Governor of Mississippi signed a ban into law earlier this month. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem had initially said that she would sign similar legislation sent to her, but has since pushed for a change to exclude college sports. Arkansas law covers elementary and high school, as well as college sports.
The head of the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ rights group, called Hutchinson’s decision “an affront not only for transgender children who are bound to hurt, but for all Arkansans who will be affected by its consequences”
“Hutchinson is ignoring the horrible history of states that have dared to pass anti-transgender legislation in recent years and, in doing so, is exposing Arkansas to economic damage, expensive taxpayer-funded legal battles and a tarnished reputation,” Alphonso David, the president group, said in a statement.
Only one state, Idaho, has enacted a law restricting the sports participation of transgender students, and that 2020 measure is blocked by a court decision as a lawsuit unfolds. Opponents have not said whether they are planning legal action to block the Arkansas ban.
“This law is a discriminatory and shameful attempt by politicians to stigmatize and exclude trans teenagers,” Holly Dickson, executive director of American Civil Liberties of Arkansas, said in a statement.
Arkansas law, if not blocked by a lawsuit, will go into effect this summer. Under the new law, a student or school that suffers “direct or indirect harm” can take a school to court for violating the prohibition.
The measure is among several that target transgender people advancing in the Republican-majority legislature this year. Another bill at Hutchinson’s desk would allow doctors to refuse to treat someone for moral or religious reasons, a measure that opponents say would allow LGBT patients to be rejected.
A final vote is also expected next week on legislation that would prohibit gender-confirming surgery or treatment for minors.
The measures gained support as a hate crime bill backed by Hutchinson stalled, facing conservative resistance. The current version of the bill would impose additional penalties for committing a crime against someone due to several characteristics, including gender identity or sexual orientation.
Arkansas is one of three states without a hate crime law.
When asked earlier this week about the message that measures aimed at transgender people send to the LGBT community, Hutchinson said he hoped to send a welcome message by enacting a hate crime law.
“I want the message to be that we want to make sure that everyone is protected, that everyone is treated equally under the law,” Hutchinson told reporters on Tuesday. “This is very, very important, whether it be transgender or some other trait.”
Hutchinson also signed the bill four years after opposing legislation this would have prohibited people from using toilets in government buildings that do not match their gender at birth. The move, which never left the committee, drew opposition from tour groups who said it would hurt the state’s economy.