Republican Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana vetoed a bill on Monday that would have banned biological males who self-identify as women from competing in women's school athletics.
The bill, HB 1041, would have "prohibited a male, based on the student's biological sex at birth in accordance with the student's genetics and reproductive biology, from participating on an athletic team or sport designated as being a female, women's, or girls' athletic team or sport."
Holcomb said in a Monday press release on his decision to veto the bill that the measure "falls short" of its intended goal of providing a clear and consistent state policy, according to IndyStar.
"It implies that the goals of consistency and fairness in competitive female sports are not currently being met," Holcomb wrote. "After thorough review, I find no evidence to support either claim even if I support the overall goal."
Despite the governor's veto, the legislation may still take effect considering Republican lawmakers control both the house and senate and can override a veto with a supermajority, which could come as early as May.
Republican representative Michelle Davis, the author of the bill, said the bill is "about protecting girls' athletics" from what she sees as a "threat posed by transgender girls, who could have a biological advantage that will cause cisgender girls to lose the opportunity to play or compete on a even playing field,'" IndyStar reports.
Gov. Holcomb said that his decision to veto the bill was primarily due to possible litigation implications and pointed out that in the three dozen states that have passed similar legislation, the measures have been a lightning rod for litigation– with the courts blocking the laws from taking effect.
The veto comes just days after Lia Thomas, a biological male who self-identifies as a woman and competes on the UPenn women's swim team, won the women's 500 freestyle NCAA national championship in Atlanta, Georgia last week.
What a big moment in the history of women's sports. pic.twitter.com/Lenyj7I8aa
— Joe Kinsey (@JoeKinseyexp) March 17, 2022
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