NEW: Wisconsin Dem governor vetoes bill protecting women's sports

Wisconsin Democrat Governor Tony Evers vetoed a bill on Tuesday that aimed to protect women’s sports by prohibiting biological male athletes from competing alongside females.

"This type of legislation, and the harmful rhetoric beget by pursuing it, harms LGBTQ Wisconsinites’ and kids’ mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence, and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids," Evers said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and kids, and I will continue to keep my promise of using every power available to me to defend them, protect their rights, and keep them safe."

Evers had said since the bill was introduced in 2023 that he would veto it, as well as another bill that would ban sex change procedures for minors.

"We expect our kids to treat each other with kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion, and we should be able to expect adults to lead by example," said Evers. "I urge the Republican majority to do so while fully considering the harmful consequences its efforts and actions have on our kids prior to introducing similar legislation in the future."

According to the Associated Press, the bill would have required high school athletes to play on a team that aligns with their birth sex. Republicans in the state reportedly no not have enough votes to override the veto.